Rafael Leao missed two big chances to give AC Milan a precious win away against Juventus, and Massimiliano Allegri’s frustration was obvious.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport recall, Allegri looked like he was going to tear his jacket and his shirt off after the second opportunity that Leao missed, the one where he was put in behind the defence by Luka Modric but shot weakly.
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Rafa’s two errors in front of goal – along with Christian Pulisic’s missed penalty – are the reason why Milan won’t be top of the table over the break, but there’s a difference between the two situations.
Pulisic is instantly forgiven for everything he’s done in this month and a half of the season and in his life with Milan. For Leao, however, there’s clearly a bigger question mark hanging in the air.
Not at his best
Leao returned last week and is still not 100%, that much needs to be said right away. He has ample mitigating circumstances. However, his football has historically had great strengths – and these are well known – and obvious flaws.
Among the flaws, two were very visible, highlighted in bold last night in Turin. The first is his shooting technique, which hasn’t improved over the years. Rafa is a phenomenon in one-on-one situations with space, but when it comes to finding the net, he struggles. As a striker, his new role, the flaw is even more noticeable.
The second is his attitude, because his manner on the pitch draws criticism. Allegri sent him a clear message on the eve of the match: “Leao still has the season to start, he’s eager to do well, but it’s not in my hands, it’s in his. As they say, help yourself and God will help you.”
Leao didn’t help himself, and in fact, Max commented at the end of the match: “The movement he made on Modric’s ball was that of a centre-forward, but when someone like him gets there, he has to score. He needs to make the difference there.”
Could he face a battle for a starting spot? Santiago Gimenez isn’t finding the net either, but he’s focused, giving it his all. He shields the ball when needed and makes moves like a No,9, which annoys defences.
He seems to be in the classic calm before the storm, which strikers sometimes experience: all he needs is a goal, but if two come in a row, it could turn things around. Then there is Christopher Nkunku, who scored in his first start and is getting close to top condition too.
So, Leao could have a fight on just to start games. His career stats say he’s never scored or even provided an assist at the Allianz Stadium. For Milan’s star player, in his seventh season, that’s not good enough.
Rafa will return to Lisbon during the international break because he’s been called up to the Portugal squad, which will play against Ireland and Hungary at the Alvalade, his home stadium, hoping for some home comforts and some confidence.
So it begins.
Oh boy!
Dax att skiljas från Leao då plats saknas för honom från start med Allegris wingbacks.
I always sell him after two/three seasons in my Championship Manager 01/02 career.
So you sell him when he is 5 years old?
I play with the latest database update, where you have the current squad available.
How to play in android ?
I play it on Windows 10 pc, but there is a way to play it on Android phones. It is explained on Champman forums.
No lies detected.
Leao and RLC will disrupt the rhythm of this team unless there is a desire from them to actually press. I see them been sold soon.
Im sorry where’s the attitude problem?
This season he hasn’t played for
More than a total of 60 minutes. He’s coming back from an injury over 1 month. This doesn’t mean he’s forgiven from his miss but Jesus all of
You yelling for him to get sold need to relax. Let’s get him back to consistent minutes and longer stretches of games.
This is regardless of the topic of him reaching his potential and his ceiling. Separate convo. Right now, he knows he has to focus on getting his 100% fitness and full game readiness.
I am not surprise GDS will always write negative things about Leao anyways, great player miss, and Leao is not an exception. Moreover he is not fully fit, we know what he is capable off, for him to make that run and spotted by Modric that shows he has what it takes, we need to give him time.
More nonsense. When he’s fit, he’ll start. Not scoring at the Allianz is a problem? He’s scored at every big ground. These journalists love talking crap about our players.
Drama where there is none…
Lol bad attitude? Where? How? I tell y’all media loves making stuff up where there isn’t. And then Cor Swra had the whole Puli betray Milan nonsense. Puli is still the man, people can have those nights. Heck Milan had the strangest of nights in Istanbul.
Glad for the most part people understand this is utter nonsense from GDS.
Everyone is saying he is not fully fit – well, he is fit enough to play so stop making excuses for his laziness. Look at the game against Napoli, 92nd minute, Modric, who is twice Leao’s age and played entire game is sprinting back while Leao, who is fresh off the bench is just jogging around. This has always been Leao’s problem, he is lazy and only wants to play offense and no defense – he will have a very hard time with Allegri in charge if he doesn’t change his attitude. Side note – he simply needs to score on the chances like the one against Juventus, no excuse there, we are taking about highest pair player on the team.
He does not fit the system !!! SELL !
Gimenez shields the ball? Is this a joke? Are people even watching games anymore?
A player that just got back from injury?
Let him breathe…
These kinds of articles are irritating.
Okay, go ahead and sell him in January since hes not part of the plan then.
Yall really need to stop sucking off leao for nothing. He missed multiple easy chances and refused to run. Stop defending mediocrity because you like his youtube highlight reel. Demand better instead of making excuses