Rafael Leao came off the bench for Portugal in their 1-1 draw against DR Congo last night, but he failed to make the most of a good opportunity.
Portugal took the lead early on through Joao Neves and many thought it would be smooth sailing from there. However, just before half-time, DR Congo found the back of the net and stunned Cristiano Ronaldo’s side.
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The scoreline remained level until late in the second half, when Roberto Martinez decided to bring on the Milan star Leao for Pedro Neto in the 72nd minute. In other words, it was a chance for him to inspire his side to a late winner.
Chance taken? Not quite…
However, as highlighted by our writer Ben Dixon (who watched the game), it was another opportunity not taken by Leao. Of course, he didn’t get loads of playing time and DR Congo focused on defending, but this is the type of game that he should be able to unlock.
“With Portugal needing a bit of inspiration, Leao could have really relaunched himself by offering a spark in a tiring attack led by a lacklustre Ronaldo.
“Instead of shining like he once did, it was another poor performance from the winger. There were signs of his old self, that little jink that made it seem like the right back was about to be in trouble. However, he failed to do anything of note.
“Criticisms can’t be too large with limited game time, but he looks miles away from the player Milan fell in love with,” he said.
In the meantime, he continued to be linked with an exit, even if his compatriot Ruben Amorim could attempt to convince him.
Was it Allegri’s 3-5-2’s fault? 😂😂
Yes, Leao clearly has Post Allegri Stress Disorder… Every time he sees someone take a jacket off he goes into a panic attack
tbf all of them played poorly.
Dr. Congo was much better, considering their abilities and circumstances.
Portugal play Ronaldo 90 minutes and he is walking for 70 minutes. He should get maybe 15 minutes if they need to score a goal. Leao is the least of their problems.
Cristiano shouldnt play at all. He is beyond washed. They got a team that can win the World Cup. All they need to do is not play CR7
He had hardly 2actions in 20mins. They are playing more on the right. There wasn’t any other player’s on right to do tiki taka. When 11players behind the ball, it wasn’t easy for wingers.
But in occasions he got the ball he lost it too easily again. Lacking speed and agility. If he doesn’t get back on tracks soon his carreer will be over.
And I am not trying to bash on him.
Simply Leao does not have the same speed to attack the opponents as he used to few years ago. In fact Alegri’s shifting him to the center was the last try to save his career.
Average limited player. Go to Arabia
What do we expect really? He’s never been a key part of the Portugal team. With him asking for a move (before the club make any decision) and this WC performance, his market price will fall and fall.
we are selling him for 20 mil….. redbird moneyball in ruins 🤣🤣🤣
The coach made a serious error by allowing C.Ronaldo to play for ninety minutes.They have fantastic players, but they are yet to build a team.Ronaldo’s personality is a huge problem for the team.It seems all the players are playing for Ronaldo, which is not good.
Luis Enrique was able to build PSG into a complete team because he allowed Lionel Messi,Neymar and Mbappe to leave.You need to allow other prayers to express their qualities.
With regards to Leao’s performance last season, Allegri should be blamed.He turned an attacking team into a bus-parking team.
“He turned an attacking team into a bus-parking team.”
🤣🤣🤣
I thought it was rare to ever see ACM on the front foot last year, unless it was when they were behind in the final 20 mins. Allegri loved those 1-0 leads that would at times disappear.
Well Leao has got at least 2 more matches to show it’s the 352 formation that hampered his progress, if he gets the chances to step on the field. He should make use of it, for the success of his own transfer out.
Can Ben Dixon and cohorts get over Leao, CR7 ballon d’or winner was there struggling, so is everyone else, you brought Leao in the 72nd minute against a compacted disciplined DRCongo team, that decided to defend or pack the bus, yet you want to make Leao the scapegoat even when most of their play was coming from the right.Let the poor boy breathe
Finally, some sense is spoken. Also, people need to be quiet about a 3-5-2. formation. The issue is how the players are used in it. Allegri just had the players stay back with no real attacking options available forward.
What a shock. He still cant beat his man…
Almost like it wasn’t the teams fault he wasn’t performing…its adorable he thought a team like barca would ever be interested in signing him. Hes come to the same painful reality theo did. When you spend a whole year lazily underperforming, no big team is gonna come save you…