Rafael Leao was benched as AC Milan faced Udinese last night and remained there for the entirety of the clash. Afterwards, Paulo Fonseca spoke to the media at the press conference and explained his decision.
Leao is one of Milan’s stars and some were perhaps a bit surprised to see him on the bench last night, especially since the Rossoneri really needed to win. His replacement, Noah Okafor, created the first goal – scored by Samuel Chukwueze – and thus got a high score in our ratings for the game.
After the game, more specifically during the press conference, Fonseca was asked about Leao’s exclusion and what prompted him to make that decision. The manager, as transcribed by MilanNews, highlighted the obvious: the others were in better form.
Leao out for 90 minutes…
“Maybe it’s strange for you not to see Rafa, but this must be normal. It’s not normal to see Leao on the bench, but it’s normal for me when I say that the team is more important, Milan is more important than a few players.
“Today I decided to let Okafor and Chukwueze play, maybe tomorrow it will be Leao’s turn. Let’s not create a case, because there isn’t one. Leao was respectful, satisfied in the locker room and this is the most important thing for me. Now, I will prepare for the next match and maybe Leao will come back to play.”
And now Leao?
“He has to prepare well because we need Rafa.”
Why did you choose these starters and not others?
“We had more time to work with the players who stayed here. Leao didn’t train on Thursday, he had a little discomfort in his flexor; he only trained yesterday. And so I decided to play Okafor and Chukwueze, who played very, very well.”
Leao will most likely be back from start against Club Brugge on Tuesday evening, though Okafor might fancy his chances given he only played 45 minutes last night. That was due to the red card, sacrificed to give the team more defensive stability.
My guess is that the initial plan was to play Okafor for the first half and Leao was to come in the second half. But since Reijnders got a red card, brining Leao in while we’re already winning and a man down makes no sense, since he’s a big liability defensively.
I think you are right. Rafa would have probably come on for Okafor in the 60th minute if there had not been a red card. But red meant there was little reason to bring him on. The only reason to do so was for a potential goal on the break to clinch the game.
The way Okafor was moving on the pitch, Leao would’ve came on in during extra time lol.
No sane coach would sub Leao on when you’re playing one man down and others would have to defend to two missing players then.
*defend for…
Media is going to milk this story dry and over analyze. Nothing more to it, Rafa was on international duty, didnt train that much with the team and was saved to most likely play on Tuesday. Thats it. No further story
U absolutely right
Plus he sucks defensively !!!!!
I believe Fonseca is sending a message to Leao that he is not bigger than the team and the club. His ego is getting to him and I am with Fonseca on this decision.
Leao does not play for the team. This is why there’s so much talk about him not doing his defensive duties especially when he loses the ball. He just stands there and wait for his teammates to regain possession.
Milan plays better without Leao and i don’t think he would have played even if Reinjders was still on the pitch.
I’ve said before that Milan needed to sell him and reinvest in strengthening the team because Pulisic can play on the left which is his best position. So we would only need to upgrade the right wing.
We could also for Chiesa for cheap but Milan need players who work hard for the team and that’s what we saw against Udinese.
“it’s normal for me when I say that the team is more important, Milan is more important than a few players.”
You could easily say, all players are important, we have tense schedule ahead and I decided to rotate, if we want to have good season we need them all to perform etc. But you just had to impose yourself like that in media again. They’re going to tear him apart for these words and it could further divide the locker room. A wolf doesn’t have to tell the sheeps he’s a wolf.
Well said Ted
Wasn’t that what he did last time? and from what I remember our stars desided to make a toddler show out of it. There are certain players who needs this message delivered loud and clear and I applaude him for it.
Do what you need to do behind closed doors but don’t wash dirty clothes publicly. It makes you look weak and in need for affirmation.
In general I agree. But here we have a special case with children who do not listen and need the silver spoon.