A journalist has shed a bit more light on the situation surrounding Rafael Leao, after all the stories in recent days.
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Leao started life under Massimiliano Allegri well, scoring goals in preseason and then netting with a header in the first competitive game against Bari. However, he was forced off with a calf injury minutes after that goal, and had to spend six weeks out.
He made a return against Napoli but the game situation (being a man down due to a red card for Pervis Estupinan) didn’t help his ability to impact thing. Against Juventus on Sunday, however, he came on and perhaps cost two points with a couple of glaring misses.
Massimiliano Allegri apparently reprimanded the Portuguese forward for his approach, and this has opened a can of worms about Leao’s role in the Milan squad and tactical set-up.
Now, TMW journalist Marco Conterio has tweeted some more information. He writes: “Everything about the (non) issue at Milan involving Rafael Leao and Massimiliano Allegri:
– After the Juventus match, a confrontation with the team and a reprimand for the player regarding approach and motivation;
– Leao’s absence ‘hides’ more significant physical issues than a strain. 45 days is the timeline… For a strain?
– It’s possible that after the break he won’t start as a regular, but due to a technical decision;
– No chance (and no communication from Milan) regarding a possible departure in January: the parties will reassess in the summer regarding the future;
– In the summer, Leao’s and Milan’s plans were ‘different’: the player had been promised a central role… In a trident, not in a two-man attack.”