Rafael Leao’s form has taken a sharp upturn over the past month, and it is because Paulo Fonseca has made some adjustments to his role.
As Calciomercato.com recall, the goal against Sassuolo in the Coppa Italia at San Siro on Tuesday night was his first at San Siro for five months. However, the winger has scored five in his last seven games across all competitions, with seven being the number of games Milan have gone unbeaten.
It is no coincidence that the Portuguese’s growth has coincided with that of the entire team because their fortunes are symbiotically linked to the form of their best, most dangerous and highest-paid player.
Fonseca has worked a ‘small masterpiece’ with Leão. With his strategy of tough love – which did not always get unanimous support from fans – we are heading towards seeing the total transformation of his compatriot. It is not only in terms of performance levels either, but also attitude and positioning.
Leão’s last two goals came from a more central position, almost as a second striker. Rafa today is looking for new areas of the pitch that have been unexplored until now, leaving the comfort zone of the open field out side.
Now, the former Lille man observes, studies and strikes with angling runs past the last line of defence. With Fonseca the relationship is frank and sincere: sometimes he does not agree with some choices but he has shown a new maturity in accepting that he must work hard.
Leao has now set his sights on Atalanta, he knows how to hurt La Dea having scored four goals against them in 10 games (plus one assist). For Gian Piero Gasperini this new Rafa will be an additional problem.
Now the future seems much more red and black tinged than it was two months ago. Barcelona and Arsenal continue to be linked by the media in Spain and England, but Leao is focused on proving he has turned a definitive corner.
I said this previously, Leao as a quasi SS that pulls out to the wing makes him so unpredictable and even more dangerous than hanging on the left wing. It might not work against all teams though (see Juve which prevented him from those movements from the get go)