Carlo Pellegatti has jumped to the defence of Rafael Leao after his reaction to being substituted off on Sunday night against Napoli, calling the situation surrounding him ‘unbearable’.
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Leao was withdrawn alongside Olivier Giroud – who had scored a brace – and both were visibly unhappy at being brought off as photos showed. A video then surfaced showing Leao walking around the field rather intently towards Pioli to ask why he was brought off.
Yacine Adli tried to intercept him on the way and calm him down but was pushed aside, while Tommaso Pobega and Alessandro Florenzi also tried to have a word with the Portuguese winger before he eventually got to the coach and spoke briefly with him.
Pellegatti spoke exclusively to Radio Rossonera about a number of topics including the latest on a potential return for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the media attention surrounding Leao and the games to come against Udinese and PSG.
Ibrahimovic is the topic of discussion again, are there any updates?
“Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a strong desire for Milan. Ibra must decide the role, they give him enough carte blanche. One could be Cardinale’s personal advisor, it’s a very active role. On an economic level, Milan are ready to listen to him, Cardinale wants him badly.
“Ibra has had a strong shock since his return to Milanello, we await moves from him. He has to figure out whether he wants to be free at the moment or whether to make this complicated commitment. There are no deadlines. Pioli would welcome him with satisfaction.
“Pioli can’t do everything, Ibra would be fundamental. What Maldini did for example, manage the relationship with the players. Reference figure and link between the management and the team.”
Olivier Giroud said after the game that at 1-2 against Napoli the team didn’t know whether to defend or attack. What did his words say to you?
“Intonation counts in Giroud’s words, they were reported well but I didn’t read any controversy with the coach in them. It didn’t seem to me that he was saying: ‘Pioli left us alone’.”
What are your thoughts on Leao’s reaction?
“We have to agree on Leao, if he had come out calm and lounging everyone would have said that he doesn’t care and that he doesn’t have Milan blood in his veins.
“If he complains and asks Pioli for explanations, we criticise him anyway. We are the only environment that criticizes his champions, we really want to hurt ourselves. The situation is unbearable.”
Udinese and PSG are up next…
“All the teams are under scrutiny, now everyone puts the problems ahead, we only talk about the teams that are not performing at their best. Trust me, the next matches are a test for everyone.”
