AC Milan legend Alessandro Costacurta believes that Stefano Pioli should stop trying to play Rafael Leao as a centre-forward.
Milan’s form in front of goal has been average this season – they’ve scored 62 goals in 34 games – the fourth highest in the league and only six ahead of eighth-placed Sassuolo.
Ahead of the Juventus-Milan showdown on the weekend, Rossoneri legend Alessandro Costacurta – who works as a commentator now – spoke to Sky Italia (via MilanNews) and highlighted the club’s goalscoring woes.
“Too few goals from the Rossoneri strikers? When things were going well, there were the conditions for even the midfielders to score and not only strikers. Milan’s goals are a good number, but there are some periods that seem to be all decreasing. Milan don’t need forwards, because they have a very strong one, and the others must be in a position to reach goal,” he said.
Rafael Leao’s presence in the Milan line-up demands better quality, at least by ‘Billy’. According to Costacurta, the Portuguese does not possess the panache to become a great marksman.
“Leao? I don’t think he’s a center forward, I think he’s a winger or a second striker. We need to find someone who knows how to score because Leao, in my opinion, will never be a great striker,” he said.
The 21-year-old has been inconsistent in finding the back of the net – with scoring just 7 goals and assisting 5 times in 37 overall appearances this season. Leao moved from Lille in 2018/19 and so far hasn’t hit his expected heights. He has scored just 13 goals in 70 caps for AC Milan.
So true. Leao will never be a striker and never be a winger. He is too lazy and play like veteran and get tired after 45 minutes. I believe he is next Balotelli
Hard truth, Pioli should heed his advice and stop deploying him as a CF Milan will see the best out of him only if they play him at his favorite position