Rafael Leao played 45 minutes for Portugal in their 5-2 win against Sweden last night and he was one of the best players on the pitch. Along with a few other stars of the team, however, it has been agreed that he will leave the international duties.
As confirmed by Sky Italia on X, Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has left the likes of Nelson Semedo, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Joao Palhinha, Toti Gomes, Bruno Fernandes, Goncalo Ramos and Leao out of the squad for next week’s friendly against Slovenia.
There are no injuries behind this decision. Instead, Martinez wants to give other players the chance while also allowing the stars to rest, ahead of a hectic schedule with their respective clubs. Good news for Milan, in other words, though Leao will likely get a few days of vacation now.
Training resumed at Milanello yesterday for those who haven’t been sent out on international duty. Leao will likely join the rest of his teammates at the start of next week, as the team will begin preparations for the game against Fiorentina. Unfortunately, Theo Hernandez will be suspended for that clash.
Of course, Leao might decide to return to Milanello and skip the mini-vacation, but some days off would probably be good for him.
Portugal was playing a different lineup and rotating so no reason to keep him from coming back. Kudos to Martinez for allowing him to leave early.
Pulisic, on the other hand, was played all 120 minutes in the USMNT’s overtime win over Jamaica by numbnuts non-sentient lifeform Gregg Berhalter.
Pulisic was limping towards the end of the match.
Gregg has been ruthless about using Pulisic to get wins in matches that were about to be lost due to his own tactical and coaching incompetence.
Expect Pulisic in another 90+ minutes against Mexico, limping or not.
Milan will be very lucky to get Pulisic back in one piece
Plus he got a severe knock just before the lead up to the goal 🤦♂️
Not only that coach subbed a sub because apparently that sub couldn’t play for more than 45 mins. The irony in all of that
Pulisic was worked to death by beerholder. Plus he was play at midnight Italian time and was fouled six times. Pulisic must now know how Leão feels on the daily.
Yet Leao doesn’t know how Pulisic feels daily when he tracks back to help the defense for the whole 90 mins each match though.
And I bet Pulisic was never ever fouled while played in EPL, right? It’s not at all physical there, right? 🙂
Yeah. It is what it is. Hopefully Pioli & co. will make smart evaluations and if he’s not 100% give Chukwueze the start against Fiorentina. We’re in the dog days of the season and I’d rather take a chance on Chuk than risk losing Pulisic for weeks because he was pushed too hard. It might be good for Chuk as well to keep any momentum gained from the goal against Verona.
Coach CONEHEAD ,such a loser !!