After yet another poor performance on a disappointing night for the team, the feeling is that Rafael Leao’s time at AC Milan will soon end.
As Corriere dello Sport recall, Leao’s match ended the same way as the last few: Milan were disappointing, often trailing, with a substitution around the hour mark and deafening boos from the stadium.
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The Portuguese had his head down, briskly striding around the opposition half of the pitch beyond the line, drawing more jeers from his own fans. He didn’t react. Once on the bench, he didn’t even glance at Allegri.
Milan are a disaster at the moment, and Leao – the highest-paid player in the squad – is drowning in quicksand along with all his teammates.
A symbol of the moment
Yet, the team had a few opportunities to pull itself out of the aforementioned sands. In the 36th minute, a quick exchange on the left freed Leao to stand alone in front of Carnesecchi, but he failed to beat the goalkeeper.
Rather than being encouraged by the brief bit of penetration, the whistles rained down from the fans. That missed chance was the symbol of the enormous difficulty in breaking out of the current slump, but also a lack of luck too, as if nothing will all his or the team’s way.
It’s an almost instinctive reaction among Milan fans towards a player who – despite often being criticised during his time in Italy – managed to be decisive, incisive and even beautiful to watch. To top it all off, he got a cheap booking and will be banned for the Genoa game.
His dribbling and bursts of speed are now a distant memory: in this league season, Leao has never had the spark he once had. His pubalgia (or the early signs of it) haven’t helped and aren’t helping, but he’s an ‘unrecognisable’ player. Now, as the report is headlined, he is ‘close to leaving’.
Hopefully Saudi can help us
Via…viaaaa !! Rafael Pipao…Trapao…
Nkunku surprised me with how dangerous he looked when Leao was subbed and he could move to left wing. With Fullkrug at CF.
The only silver lining coming out of this season is that Milan have finally learned how to play without Leao…for too long he was our talisman where we cringe whenever he wasn’t available but at last we can cut our losses and move on from him. I still hold him dearly for what he can do but it almost seems like he has gone to far beyond the point of believing he is untouchable to the Milan project. If he can find that humility and enjoyment again maybe he can become useful going forward. But as things stand his biggest undoing was his own understanding of things…ie just show up, make one or 2 bursts down the flank, either score or assist and that’s all that’s required of him. The game is changing, players are evolving and he will be left behind if he doesn’t meet the minimum standards required of the modern game. I am agnostic on whether he stays or goes but wish him the best in whatever happens during the summer. Forza Milan.
Yes, but for him to rediscover his humility and joy, he needs a few things, such as a stable team, to play in his natural position, and, above all, the fans’ support—and for the pressure to be taken off his shoulders, because we’ve all seen that he can’t handle the pressure. I would keep Rafa at all costs.
To add more, injuries and team set up was awkward, played out of position, the spark in Leao is still there, but the fans are questionable, why boo your own team? if you must boo them why not wait till after the match?
Should’ve sold him when he was worth something. Now we’d be lucky to get even 50 for him
I think it’s better for Leão himself if he leaves the club, that’s sad but I think that’s the case.
Then again it will depend on his next destination…
Unrecognisable? Naah, he was his usual self. The one we’ve seen 4 times out of 5 matches for years.
It’s not only him that’s not had a good season. Both our two most productive players the last few seasons have had a downturn in output. Check the coach and the system we play for that. Also check the ppl in charge because they chose this as our path.
We’re talking two players churn out 20 goals contributions each season who are stuck on 11 and 12 with two games to go. The whole team’s offense has been bad. It also comes from a lack of courage from the coach to play an expansive game. He only does so when the chips are down
absolutely, why are we after Leao when the team was set up wrongly even at that he has been decisive until lately
“Rather than being encouraged by the brief bit of penetration, the whistles rained down from the fans. That missed chance was the symbol of the enormous difficulty in breaking out of the current slump, but also a lack of luck too, as if nothing will all his or the team’s way”……….Very objective journalism from Corsport
Naturally, lets start setting the players on fire and selling right and left. RedBird machine at work.