AC Milan’s front line will be led by striker Olivier Giroud tonight, but it is widely accepted that Rafael Leao will actually be the man that the fate of the attacking department hinges on.
La Gazzetta dello Sport writes how Milan are facing a crucial crossroads tonight as they want to qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League, and that same junction also applies to Leao who wants to take the next step in his development.
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Director Paolo Maldini has repeatedly stressed his advice to Leao: “Staying with us, at this stage of his career, is the best thing for his maturity as a player.” However, things will not be straightforward given the question marks over who has power of attorney as well as the Sporting CP fine and the salary demands.
Everything will take a back seat at least today as both the Rossoneri management and Leao have only Salzburg in mind and the qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League, a target that has not been hit since 2014.
Returning to the top 16 clubs in Europe would be a small but important step towards hopefully bigger objectives. When factoring bonuses, stadium revenues and other takings, reaching the knockouts is worth between €15-20m. Some of that could be used to facilitate the happy conclusion of Leao’s contractual affair.
On the field it will be up to the former Lille man to take the team by the hand after the poor performance in Turin at the weekend. The good news this time is that he will be there for a decisive last UCL group match having missed the one against Liverpool last season due to a muscle issue.
In Italy, Leao now makes a difference even in the races that matter, and in order to command a big pay rise he must also show the same on the biggest stage.
