Andriy Shevchenko knows what it means to be a striker, and he also knows plenty about AC Milan and what it means to score important goals in big moments.
Few strikers can compare to Shevchenko, a Ballon d’Or winner, a Champions League winner and a Scudetto winner, amongst countless other awards. Shevchenko certainly is in a league with very few others.
Milan launched the striker in the European elite setting, having spent around €25 million on a then 23-year-old Shevchenko, and the rest, as they say, is history. 175 goals for the Rossoneri later, across two spells, he has been cemented as a legend of the club, as shown by his induction into the Hall of Fame.
Shevchenko’s comments
Today, he spoke on the sidelines of the Italian stage of the Legends Trophy about Milan, and Rafael Leao’s move as a striker, and MilanNews have relayed his words.
Is the title race open?
“Inter have a much deeper squad, have players of a different calibre, and are ahead. But Milan are having an excellent season. The win against Torino is an important step forward; Allegri energised the team after the defeat against Lazio.
“I think Milan will win their next matches and put pressure on Inter. It’s decided game by game. If Milan stay close to Inter, anything can happen…”
Would you return to football without VAR?
“You have to evaluate everything very carefully. Technology helps, even if many people aren’t happy.”
Is Leao a striker?
“He’s not a striker, he’s not playing his natural role right now. He was asked to play as a striker: he’s done well in some games, less so in others. But to evaluate him in that role, we need to give him time.
“Of course, we need to see if he’s willing to help the team, and he’s the only one who can play that role. You can mess up in the game, but not in your attitude. There are times when you get angry with your team-mates or the coach, but then you need to clear things up immediately.”
How does he fit in with Pulisic?
“Leao and Pulisic have to adapt to each other, not put themselves before the team. Every player must be ready to play in a different role at any time.”
Is Gattuso fired up?
“He’ll be 100% fired up. We need to hold him back so he doesn’t overexert the players. With so little time, he can only work on the players’ mental health. I think Italy can do it. For Ukraine, reaching the World Cup would be a dream: our people are waiting for this gift.”
With Leao currently sidelined, it will be interesting to see if he is back to his best when he returns.
If leao wants to be world class player, maybe you can mess up the game but not with your attitude. It’s time to go bro leao. Sell leao in the next mercato
No matter what, Leo is still the most deadly and dangerous forward we have. The opponents knows this… Why are we so hard on him when he’s not played in his natural position?
He is… no question about it. Which is also why he’s polarizing among fans. He could be miles ahead of any of our other players (or almost all of the league players). and yet, He isnt and he’s been like this for a while.
Either we accept he is like this, and take it for what it is. OR simply let him go. He gives me the vibes (to a lot less degree) as Balotelli o Pogba. So talented, they could dominate, because when they wanted it, they did. But their attitude did not allow them to reach the potential everyone but themselves saw
i’m not against selling Leao, if he not improve then sell him sooner while value is good, but for me he’s far behind Nkunku, Estupinan, Gimenez, Chuck, Fullkrug, RLC, Musah, who is not better than Futuro’s in contribution.
sell them 1st b4 Leao,
if we sell Nkunku then replace him w/ another Nkunku we are unlucky, but if we sell Leao/ Puli then replacement is another Nkunku/ Gimenez/ Fullkrug we are doom
I got brain damage reading your comment.
Leao can’t be a star ⭐
Like Shevchenco, Leao can’t even worth being on the bench of
a Milan of 2000 to 2007
Well said by Shevchenko.
For those who don’t know, in terms of goals and assists combined, Leao is best forward Milan has had since Shevchenko.
Shevchenko left initially in 2006. 20 years ago.
Let that sink in and show the boy some respect.