Rafael Leao is receiving some criticism for his performance against Newcastle United, in particular the big chance he missed in the first half, but it is important to remember that he is not yet the finished article.
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MilanNews recall that the path of Leao and that of Milan to date has gone hand in hand. A constant and continuous growth, with some psychologically tough periods and a few small steps backwards, only to then resume the road towards the aim: to become among the best in Europe.
Leao arrived at Milan in 2019 as a talent who needed some refining, at a time when the Rossoneri were a club trying to make their way out of some very difficult times economically and from a sporting perspective.
Milan becoming competitive again allows Leao to compete with the best players in Europe, while the winger expressing his potential allows Milan to become competitive again. It is a symbiotic relationship.
Of course, it’s not just Rafa because there are many components that have allowed the club to get back on track and fight at such high levels again, from Stefano Pioli and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the other members of the young core that has now grown up.
Milan and Leao continue to go hand in hand, for better or for worse and they have reached the top again, probably even faster than expected.
The seasons have gone as follows: Champions League qualification, Scudetto, Champions League semi-final. Leao’s campaigns have gone as follows: 10 goals and assists, 10 goals and 10 assists, more than 15 goals and more than 10 assists.
As his levels rise, expectations also rise. It’s the nature of man and of the fan. After victories and triumphs, more victories and triumphs are expected otherwise it seems a relative failure.
When Rafa fails to make an impact in the first Champions League of the season, despite remaining in the game and creating chances, a wave of criticism arrived.
However, intelligence is directing these criticisms to the performance, the situation and the context. When Leao gets that next big chance, everyone knows that he will probably take it, just as he did the game prior against Inter.
