History doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes, and that is the case for Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao who face being benched again, by a different coach.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) recall, back in August a Portuguese manager – Paulo Fonseca – sent them to the bench as a punishment for what happened during the game against Parma. On Saturday in Lecce it will be Conceiçao who decides their fate, and it will likely be the same.
Playing away could have been a welcome break, even if away from home Milan has collected 17 points, seven less than the 24 at home. Getting away from the tension would have been beneficial, so as not to hear whistles and jeers of San Siro.
The targets on Sunday night were Theo and Leao, the most talented players in the team and once leaders, but today (this applies to Hernandez, much less so for Rafa) they are ‘dead weight’ in the eyes of many.
The left side was once Milan’s strength, yet now it is another weakness. Even Lazio’s first goal was born from weak coverage by the Frenchman, while Leao in the opposite direction was unable to make an impact, instead the usual imprecise crosses and swerves in the area with no outlets.
‘Against everything and everyone’
Leao felt the pressure during the game, or rather in one part of the stadium: he took it out on some fans sitting in the first tier. As the match continued he could be seen bickering with supporters.
Criticism came from a section of the spectators that Rafa understood were not the only ones to feel such as way, so much so that he posted something on social media to let it be known the squad do not feel supporters.
In an Instagram story he published a photo accompanied by a message: “Unfortunately we are against everything and everyone. We are working to get positive results again and the group will continue to be more united than ever!”
It is not the first time that Rafa and San Siro find themselves in a tormented phase of the relationship: in other times the calm had returned, this time it will be more difficult. The whole of Milan is in a storm, and Leao is involved as the team’s most quality player.
There has been no shortage of goals and assists, but consistency has certainly been lacking again. Now the fans expect him to take the team by the hand, but the former Lille man is struggling to grasp it.
The future
Leao and Milan could decide to separate at the end of the season. It is a possibility, even if at the moment there are no concrete options. In essence, there are no offers. The only one, and one that the player could consider, is from Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
In the coming weeks, Leao will have to not only make an impact but also demonstrate his attachment to the club – the one he showed off on social media – so that the home crowd can be patient and generous again. At least until the end of the season.
The rift with Theo, on the other hand, cannot be mended, not even with time. Two days ago he approached to take a corner kick and was showered by whistles. The San Siro crowd no longer tolerates distractions on the pitch, and they believe Theo is playing with the handbrake on.
Theo has given so much, he has built the record for goals in Serie A (30) and now risks undoing everything with a disastrous season. His contract expires in 2026 will not be renewed, so buyers will be sought in the summer to avoid a free transfer next year.
Yeah leao always use his usual imprecise crosses. Too long or too high. I dunno he play for winger or striker .
I’ll believe it when I see it but the revolution needs to start now. Leah and Theo have become bench players. Fofana also needs to be benched – tbh honest I have never seen what others seem to have seen in him.
Bring in Bondo, Sottil and Bartesaghi and get some energy going…
“Bring in Bondo, Sottil and Bartesaghi and get some energy going…”
The thing is that how much worse can this get? We are already losing badly with our key players so benching them for hungrier players literally cannot get worse results. 0 points is 0 points. UCL train gone. Give the lads a chance to show what they’ve got and get rid of them too if they are not up to the task. That’s the only way to find out.
Indeed – I also thinks that moving Thiaw to try out at DM should be investigated – cant do any worse than Fatama and it’s not an alien position for him
Torriani
Walker – Thiaw – Gabbia -Pav/Bartesaghi
Pulisic – Musah – Bondo – Sottil
Reijnders
Gimenez
You cleary dont know football
You’re the expert – maybe you should get your name down
Musah? What quality he has?
With out leao and theo, the left side is weaker. They may be inconsistent but that’s due to no motivation and useless management
Your comment made my day .. I have been telling ppl about Fofana he isn’t too good on top of that Musa can’t score and something very suspicious about Leao is. he don’t play like when Giroud was there while s.Jimenez no receiving much from the him or the team
Sorry to let it out. That new “revolution” stinks outside top 4
We are outside top 4 already. Let the pack their bags. We are tired of mediocrity
There is many reasons why we are way outside top 4 this season, not just because Leao and Theo
1. I have been calling for Theo to be benched since the time of Fonseca. If Fonseca had been given enough time and backing he might have turned the fortunes of Milan around. Theo is indisciplined, lacks focus and concentration and doesn’t know how to tackle. Most of the goals we conceded came through his position because he fails to track back and cover so Pavlovich or Thiaw are forced to do double work. I think this deliberate. His heart is not in Milan and he is overpowered. Enough of the apologists for Theo. Milan should sell him quickly.
2. Concecaio must share some of the blame. He is always making wrong selections or just simply naive or incompetent or both. He needs to put his foot down and make selections based on who is hungry and determined to respect the Milan jersey. He should not be afraid. When Ranieri tool over Roma, he started giving the young priimavera players chance. Look at what Hansi Flick is doing at Barcelona. Give the young players chance. Give Bartesaghi, Camarda,Terraciano, etc the chance. He should stop playing big names. Our next game must feature Bartesaghi at RB or Pavlovich, Thiaw, Gambia and Walker. Sottil should fill Leao’s position. Start attack with Jovic, Pulisic, Tiji and Fofana and another primavera player.
3. Fofana played well under Fonseca.i don’t know why he has become rusty and clumsy. If he can practice and perfect his solo run and long range strikes he could become a valuable asset. It is as if Milan doesn’t practice enough shooting in training. Fofana’s long range shots are horrible. He needs encouragement and technical direction.
4. Musah has energy and high work rate but he needs self-awareness, positional and tactical intelligence. In other words he needs technical direction in the basics. For now, the coach must limit his role to a DM. Break the play, win the loose balls and pass to Tiji or Pulisic. He over handles the ball and he is also over zealous. He looses the ball too easily.
“4. Musah has energy and high work rate but he needs self-awareness, positional and tactical intelligence. In other words he needs technical direction in the basics. For now, the coach must limit his role to a DM. Break the play, win the loose balls and pass to Tiji or Pulisic. He over handles the ball and he is also over zealous. He looses the ball too easily.”
Agree Musah is not now, and will never be, a creative force. But he is strong, athletic, fast and he always works for the team. Which is more than can be said for lots of these other guys.
To me over time he could play the same role that Kessie did, at least the ball winning, physical, disruptive, defensive aspects of that role. We don’t need him to be creative. Just protect the back four, win the ball and get it to a playmaker.
It’s not Musah’s fault that the coach doesn’t know where or how to use him.
Yeah there’s a solid box to box midfielder in Musah he just needs to be played in that position long enough to understand the role. I thought it was really classy of him to go shake Conceicao’s hand after being subbed. Most players would sulk and be pitiful being subbed at the 37th minute but Musah clearly puts the team first.
I hate Milan fans, Leao provided the only goal of the Torino loss and the assist for the Lazio loss. Scapegoat Leao though.
Felix is more out of form, Musah is more out of form, Alex is more out of form, Fofana is more out of form, Theo is more out of form.
I watch the highlight of Lazio/Milan, Leao was practically providing good passes, Gimenez missed, Reijnders and Felix too just to mention few. He did well IMO, he was the only functioning attacker
Tomori should be playing LCB with Gabbi RCB. They are our best defensive pairing. Theo gets caught because he is always up the field. He needs Tomoris speed to cover him.
I think this is the biggest imbalance in the team.
The midfield needs work, but we should play a flat three-man midfield. There is no need for a CAM because Santi is a striker capable of taking on his man.
Yeah the Leao hate it off base. I think he’s at 18 goal contributions for the year. Seems pretty consistent for me, also how many wingers put up 20+ goal contributions a year?
You wonna sell Leao u bum americans !!!!? But keep clapping that overhyped overrated average pulisic whom u got from Chelsea l’s bench? Sell Leao and watch what happened u idiots !!!! When Americans just gonna sell our club to someone who actually knows football and they can finally get the F OUT and get back to their baseball since that’s the only sport they know about !!!!! Sell LEAO!? do that and watch what happens u fools
Like or hate him, Leao is the heart of this Milan, Cardinale should leave our club
LOSER !!!!!!!
De ……………. LOSER !!!!!!
What are we talking about here? Leao is only a small part of a larger problem. All these stories are irrelevant of who stays and who goes.
The number one problem is who is in charge of this Milan? IS it Elliott or is it RedBird? Is it Furlani who gets the final approval on everything or does Ibra call the shots?? There are very clearly two camps beefing.
So how is this going to play out with a Sporting Director appointment? A competent SD needs to have control of the sporting side – direction, project, coach, scouting and players. This all falls under SD. In other words, CEO would allocate the budget and the SD would make that all work and tied it together. So while the two factions are fighting amongst each other for control, a new SD will have THAT control??
The whole thing reeks of incompetence and complete and utter chaos. We need a precisely defined Pyramid and clear roles for everyone in the organization to understand who controls what.
Only when that is done can a competent SD come in and take charge of the club and head down in a clear direction: Coach, players, scouting.
Until then, this is all a waste of time.