CorSport: Fonseca gives clear instructions to Leao in pursuit of consistency

Paulo Fonseca will take charge of his second game as AC Milan head coach tonight against Parma, and in order to get off to a good start he needs the best version of Rafael Leao.

As Corriere dello Sport (via PianetaMilan) report this morning, during the press conference Fonseca did at Milanello ahead of the game against Parma this evening he was asked about the role that Leao will have in his side and the level that he can reach.

“Leao can combine the two. In certain moments, especially when the ball is on the right, he has to get closer to the goal. He can get more goals and assists. He has to understand this, that he can do more,” he said.

“I think the right moment is to understand what we need to improve. I expect a difficult match, on a particular pitch and against a particular team. He runs a lot, if we don’t understand what kind of match awaits us it will be difficult.

“To win it doesn’t only matter how you play. We have to suffer, fight. We have to increase our defensive aggressiveness, otherwise it will be difficult. We have worked on this.”

With Morata out due to injury, Leao will have even more responsibility in Parma. The game at the Stadio Tardini will be important to understand where Milan are after a month and a half of work with Fonseca, but above all for the Portuguese winger.

Leao scored the last time he played at that ground and could give a signal that he is ready for a big year. The coach has asked him to provide more end product, to play closer to the opponent’s goal and to be decisive in the attacking phase. We’ll see how that translates tonight.