Rafael Leao started the Monza game on the bench last night, but after the game Paulo Fonseca suggested that he will be back in the team against Real Madrid.
As Tuttosport (via MilanNews) write this morning, Leao has now been benched for the last three league games, and speaking before the match at the U-Power Stadium Fonseca suggested he was preserving the winger for midweek.
There is a section of the fan base that do not believe the Portuguese coach’s version of events and the media have spoken of Leao’s unhappiness at the situation, with some sources even claiming he has asked his entourage to explore a move.
However, in the post-match press conference, Fonseca praised praised Leao who entered the field on the hour mark and managed to do more than Okafor had done in the entire 60 minutes, creating scoring opportunities for himself and wasting one one-on-one with Turati after one of his runs.
“Yes, he came on and did well. That’s the most important thing. It’s important to have this reaction from Rafa, that’s what I want. Yes, I think he’s ready [for Madrid],” Fonseca said.
So the question arises: is Leao ready to return to being a starter for Milan starting from Tuesday’s Champions League match at the Bernabeu? Fonseca answered yes, but now we will have to understand if the Rossoneri coach was telling the truth or bluffing for the umpteenth time.