The renewal situation surrounding Rafael Leao is affecting his performance, a journalist has claimed, while he praised AC Milan’s achievement of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals.
Milan upset the odds in many ways by beating Spurs over two legs to secure progress in Europe’s top club competition, but if it was something that you predicted right and you’re feeling lucky you might want to try video slot online.
Carlos Passerini of Corriere della Sera spoke during an interview with MilanNews the day after Pioli’s team qualified for the final eight of the Champions League for the first time since 2011-12.
What does this qualification mean for Milan?
“The right word is feat, because for when Conte repeated at the end of the game that Milan were favourites, I don’t see it like this: the huge favourite was Tottenham, who spent 170 million on the market last season alone, for me this fact alone is enough to explain the difference in values on the pitch.
“Tottenham can afford to remove one between Kulusevski and Son to put Richarlison on. It is a feat that allows Milan to return to their golden moment after too long, its glories. This is Milan, they have this European attitude and they are conquering it.”
What helped Milan to go through?
“Milan went 7 years without the Champions League, unfortunately the glorious history of Milan is distant in time and I don’t think a team has an advantage because 20 years ago they were a great team…
“Milan got through because they had great solidity, not conceding a goal in two games against a team with enormous attacking potential and capitalising on the first leg, even if you have to learn to be more effective in front of goal.
“It was the victory of solidity, of the group, of compactness, of the right spirit It’s a different Milan than last year: last year we won with play, this year with solidity.”
Does Leao convince you in his new position?
“It’s not a question of position, but mentality. The question of renewal is affecting his way of playing, it’s also normal, he’s young and he’s facing a very important turning point in his life, so all this is taking away some energy.
“And it shows on the pitch because he’s not the Leao of last year and the first part of the season, he hasn’t scored since January 14 and it’s a long time for a striker of his qualities. If you ask for 7 million euros, you have to demonstrate you are worth them, because it applies to all of us in any field of work. To have a top club rating, he has to get moving: wherever he goes, he has to earn the salary he asks for.”
Can qualifying for the quarter-finals help Leao’s renewal?
“Milan won’t go too far and this is a precise corporate choice, which I also share. In the same way, it is clear that with this round passage it can the difference, facilitating any type of negotiation. Maldini is right: the stronger you are, the more you win, the more you have the possibility of structuring yourself.
“I believe that, as far as Leao is concerned, even the confusion and the number of interpreters involved slows down the contract affair… I believe that he is not the first to have very clear ideas about what he wants to do.”
Who is the best opponent for the quarterfinals?
“After the round of 16 it’s a lottery. PSG, who have more talent and names than all of them, are already out. Guardiola always says that only one wins the Champions League: it seems trivial, but between Bayern, City, Real, PSG, only one always wins and you also need luck and the ability to bring it to your side, as Ancelotti did…
“I’d prefer not to get the Italian sides, because you would carry an excess of toxicity with you… With the teams Benfica are a very difficult team to face, but in my opinion against them we would play to play, without too many reflections which, however, would be normal if we faced the Italians… I say Benfica, I say Chelsea.”
