There have been a few opposing views about Rafael Leao’s performance against Juventus last night, with AC Milan fans torn.
It is difficult to assess Leao. Ultimately, he is a winger that has not adjusted to playing up front. However, he is persistently played there out of necessity. A 4-3-3 does not work, so he is forced to play in an almost hybrid winger-striker role.
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Recently, it has not paid off and the Portuguese has been quieter than ever, at least in terms of statistics and the game against Juventus was another interesting one. Some believe it to be a fantastic game, whilst others are sat on the fence about whether he was as good as others.
A really tough one…
Leao’s polarising performance
Shortly after the game, @c0mpmilano created a highlight reel of his best bits against Juventus and it is fair to say that the polarising nature of his performance has been furthered.
Rafael Leao vs Juventus (H) pic.twitter.com/8YdMaL3kni
— c0mp (@c0mpmilano) April 26, 2026
Rafa played best last night, Allegri knows that.
You cant easily sell best player on low ammortisation fee and relatively small wage.
Rafa needs extremely strong right wingback, someone who will score what Saelemaekers missed. And Theo Hernandez with whome Rafa becomed stars.
If you put with Rabiot and Modric central midfield who can assist and score than you have first eleven.
In that formation you need Leao and Pulisic as central forward because they can run, assist dribble and even score.
Scoring little bit tough – but you have strong attacking team who can defend, compared to Pioli Milan.
Now all depends about Cardinale. Is he smart enough to invest 100 million next year from his money in good arrivals if Milan flop champions league this year.
Allegri created strong foundations – now management and owner need to stand buy with it.
“Scoring little bit tough – but you have strong attacking team who can defend, compared to Pioli Milan.”
Pioli’s Milan during the scudetto season gave up 31 goals in 38 games, while playing attacking football.
Allegri’s Milan have given up 27 goals with 4 games left while playing park the bus football.
Pioli’s Milan scored 69 goals that season. Allegri’s Milan has scored a whopping 48 so far this season.
not a good idea to compare against scudetto season. That team was better than this one by a lot…. the Tonali-Kessie duo was great, Leao was in a good moment, and Theo was unstoppable most of the season. Add a good duo at the back with Kjaer and Tomori, plus Giroud, Brahim… a different team, but what happened after that? Yeah, we sucked lol
And don’t get me wrong: I am not defending Allegri, Milan matches are unwatchable
Milan got worse defensively after Kessie left but offensively they were as good and better especially in 23/24 with the arrival of Pulisic, Reijnders, RLC, Chuk, Okafor