After Sunday night’s tensions at the Stadio Olimpico, things have calmed down again between Rafa Leao and Christian Pulisic.
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As La Gazzetta dello Sport recall, yesterday at Milanello, the two shook hands on the pitch, in front of their team-mates, and thus put behind them a night they would have gladly done without. What now prevails in both is the desire to bounce back, to find the consistency they have been searching for.
Leao’s apology
The team resumed training yesterday and this was the first time the group had met again since the defeat to Lazio. Massimiliano Allegri and his staff analysed the performance at the Olimpico on video, something that always happens, regardless of the result.
Yet, it’s clear that the less than positive performance against Sarri’s team provided much food for thought. Among these, of course, was the fact that the American and the Portuguese looked for each other less than in the past.
This aspect particularly unsettled Rafa, who was very annoyed in the second half when his team-mate failed to feed one of his vertical runs, and he was equally fired up when he left the pitch, as both Mike Maignan and Allegri tried (in vain) to calm him down.
Even in the the dressing room after the match, the No.10 had a disagreement with Pulisic. Yesterday, however, Pulisic and Leao reviewed some of the offending actions in front of the video and, with a cool head, reflected on the choices they made and their attitudes.
That’s why Leao apologised both to the USA international and to the team. The matter was then settled on the pitch, with a handshake. Since yesterday, both players have only their minds set on the desire to start again against Torino.
Unity returns
The desire to quickly resolve the matter was a confirmation of the unity of the group, which, since last July, has been shaped by Allegri and his staff. Rafa and Christian have been teammates since 2023 and, despite their very different personalities, they respect each other.
They even took turns at the penalty spot after the former Chelsea player missed two penalties against Torino and Juventus in 2025. The plans at the start of the season were for them to be a pair capable of playing together in a 3-5-2 formation, capable of playing with their eyes closed and scoring a lot.
The reality, however, has been very different, as they have only played together for 595 minutes and have scored a paltry two goals. Both have been injured and are not yet at their peak, due to their respective issues.
Leao is not a true centre-forward, and Pulisic isn’t at his best as a second striker. They have often not been properly supported by the rest of the team. Now, however, is not the time to speculate on technical and tactical matters or seek explanations as to why the two players aren’t performing.
Yesterday, when training resumed, it was first and foremost necessary to put the events at the Olimpico in the past and reaffirm that the team are all pulling in the same direction, one that will lead the Diavolo to play in the Champions League next year.
That’s why, from now on, the only focus must no longer be on the defeat against Lazio, but on the goals that the team need to score against Torino to secure the three points.