After Sunday night’s tensions at the Stadio Olimpico, things have calmed down again between Rafa Leao and Christian Pulisic.
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.
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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.
I for one actually like this. Friction is good – especially when it is resolved as it allows for the air to be cleared and actions to be taken. Otherwise players just keep sulking in silence and team work falls apart.
“Leao is not a true centre-forward, and Pulisic isn’t at his best as a second striker. ”
Ehh… Pulisic was on fire in that role when Leao was out. What changed? Oh right, Leao came back. But I imagine the “red hot form” of Pulisic last autumn was just luck and he absolutely cannot play as a second striker. Go ahead, watch the Viola-match where he was paired with Füllkrug. They were both just awful, right? Right? 😛
If memory serves me right, Füllkrug had three good games, his first three, when he came in for the last 15-20 minutes, then never reproduced the good performances, even when starting. I think that some posters here are overrating Füllkrug. He hasn’t done much. He had one goal for us. He had one goal in one and a half seasons in the EPL. These are Origi-like numbers. I don’t think he is the solution, and he is certainly not justifying any idea of rescuing him after the loan is over.
Certainly we all know that both Leão and Pulisic perform better when they have a true #9 as an anchor and they can play from the wings, and an attack with 3 players works best for them. But is Füllkrug the solution? Sure, he had good games, but then he had a long string of ineffective games.
Yes, the offense performed better when Füllkrug came in, but that may be more related to the formation change from 3-5-2 to 4-3-3 than to any top skills displayed by Füllkrug. Maybe with another #9, that effect of the formation change would become even more apparent.
I actually have hopes that Gimenez will be that guy. Yes, he had a horrible stretch with first touch control issues, trouble with turning and shooting, and poor shooting accuracy, but then, we learned later that he was battling a chronic ankle issue that was poorly diagnosed by Milan’s medical staff and only got resolved when he saw a Dutch surgeon. Given that ankle issues cause precisely the kind of shortcomings he was having, maybe now that this has been solved, he will perform well. One can hope.
He was a prolific striker for Feyenoord and for the Mexican National Team. Did he unlearn how to play football? I think that chances are that his issues were more injury-related than the result of a lack of skills. Fingers crossed that he proves me right, on this.
Agree 100% with bb….
A handshake doesn’t clear $h!+. The problem has been there all season and Max hasn’t been willing to change formation.
The man isn’t a rando off the street. He can tell it isn’t working. But he must be looking at the whole picture. This formation has brought the results however ugly it is. We’re still 4th, have been in Top4 all season and with 9 games to go he won’t change anything. PERIOD.
As I’ve said before, fielding 3 upfront most likely compromises our defensive solidity and our defense isn’t good enough to play with 2cb’s, limited wing-backs and a midfield with a 40yo in it.
You want a more attacking Milan, improve the CB’s and Wing-back’s, find another Rabiot profile to mitigate for Modric then bring in a solid 9.
All solutions that this management will never address because it takes too much money to win. It’s cheaper to meddle in Top4. Look at Allegri – their poster boy doing just that.
I think top four is a bit at risk. I expect Napoli to move into the second position. McTominay and KDB are coming back soon. Then we have Como and Juve that seem to be coming on. Remember Juve had a crap start but are playing well. Como, while they seem to often be their own worse enemy are only six points behind. I think ACM will drag themselves across the finish line in 3rd. But the question then becomes how does Allegri want to play going forward and what does he need to do it. If it’s just a #9, then ACM need to make some sales.
Before this year, there was passing between Leao
and Pulisic. This year Allergri changed the formation.
This was not good for Puli or Leao. Apparently
friction was building between Puli and Leao.
I can’t believe that Allegri wasn’t aware. He chose
not to address the issue??????