Even though Theo Hernandez played from start yesterday against Lecce, Paulo Fonseca decided to give the captain’s armband to Rafael Leao. There were two good reasons for this, as highlighted by a reporter before the game.
Hernandez and Leao found their groove last night, especially towards the end of the first half, and led Milan to an important 3-0 win. The full-back was named the MOTM at 7.5/10 but the winger wasn’t too far behind at 7/10.
Before the game, as cited by MilanNews, Sky Italia reporter Peppe Di Stefano was asked about Fonseca’s decision to name Leao as the captain. All things considered, the decision was far from surprising for the Milan fans.
“There are two reasons: the first is to send a signal, given that he isn’t going through a fantastic moment. The second is because all things considered, Theo’s years at Milan (220 appearances) are identical to those of Leao (217 appearances), so perhaps this makes him more responsible and puts him at the head of the group.”
Milan will face Bayer Leverkusen next and it remains to be seen if Davide Calabria will be back from start, having struggled with a minor injury lately. If he were to start, he will wear the captain’s armband and if not, it will probably go to Hernandez.
I’ll give you reason #3. Pressure from management. They still wanna make rafa a leader type and theo talks are not progressing.
Yes of course it has to be something negative, just so you can be happy.
This club is doomed right? 🤣
You call it negative I call it being realistic. It bothers you because you know I’m right.
Could be, but also because Rafa is going through a rough patch. I see it as a positive if the whole team, including management, wants to assure him and us of his status.
It was to give him incentive to fight for the team, to press, defend and run more. They wanted him to lead from the front and set an example. It’s a basic leadership technique. It worked!
It looks to be a clear message to Rafa. “You are leading, so the success of the team will equal your level of determination.” This is how you make someone, through fire, intense expectations, and putting someone through struggle. He needs more and needs more to struggle, because if he gets that, and he succeeds, it will make him the best player to have every taken the field. He has that opportunity.