Rafael Leao will try his best, but it certainly won’t be simple. The youngster’s recent performances have left a lot to be desired and there isn’t much time left to earn himself a starting spot.
As reported by today’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanNews.it), Leao still has five days to convince Stefano Pioli to field him from start against Lecce. In the 40 minutes he got against Juventus, though, he didn’t exactly help his chances.
Pioli expected a different attitude and had hoped for the Portuguese striker to surprise a tired and anything but irresistible Bianconeri defence. In other words, he isn’t at the top of Pioli’s pecking order, but there is still hope.
If the manager, with the return of Castillejo, should decide to restore the old balance in his 4-2-3-1, placing the Spaniard on the right and Ante Rebic on the opposite side (his ideal position), Leao would play as the centre-forward.
He could thus get another chance, but an effort is needed in training to convince Pioli that this is the right call. Soon, there will be no time left for Leao, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return and cement his spot in the starting eleven once again.
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