Arrigo Sacchi has more often than not criticised Rafael Leao for his performances this season. After the MOTM display against PSG, however, the former AC Milan manager only had good things to say about the winger.
Leao has been on the receiving end of Sacchi’s criticism many times this season, as mentioned, and it hasn’t always been justified either. After Milan’s 2-1 win against PSG last night, however, Sacchi couldn’t say anything bad about the winger.
In fairness to Sacchi, there was a clear difference in how much Leao tracked back yesterday compared to the games he didn’t perform well in. In his editorial for Gazzetta dello Sport this morning, the former manager praised the electric winger.
“Leao’s great performance should be underlined. The Portuguese, who in my opinion has impressive qualities and I get angry every time he doesn’t exploit them (because it’s such a shame…), tracked back to give his teammates a hand in the containment phase.
“He made an incredible series of sprints and in this way, in addition to creating problems for Paris Saint-Germain, he gave courage to the whole team. Leao’s counterattacks in the second half were truly devastating: it was impossible to stop him,” he wrote.
Leao certainly needs to do what he did yesterday more often. On a good day, he’s truly unstoppable and that is of incredible value to Milan, especially in the big Champions League games.
The Rossoneri will take on Lecce next, though, and will need to bounce back in the league after three games without a win.
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But again, I will not at all be surprised if he is back to his normal way against Lecce. It is a completely different story to play against a low block, than playing against Psg.
Thats the differences between Leao and other greats such as Haaland,Mbappe,Messi etc, consistency and get your your attitude right, Leao is his own enemy if he keeps did a lazy ass performances like it was against Udinese then he will never reach the level of Mbappe or Haaland.
He did that against Napoli 2. Made a tackle in the 11 box. I was like wtf you doing leao? You should be stroling somewhere. I was happy
Leao, I hope you watch your own games sometimes. You need to take note of what you should aspire to become, and what you should ditch. I understand tracking back is painful, tiring and boring, but if you want to be remembered as one of the greats, you have to have mental strength and be ready to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
There is no consistency though. Without consistency he will never get to the level of Ronaldo and Messi.
He should look to Musah. Looks like he thinks it is more fun to track back than forward…
LEAO. LISTEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There was a Portuguese player at Tottenham Hotspur who was great to watch when he has the ball. His name was Jose Dominguez. He was a nobody at the end of his career. Besides that was all he was.. doing NOBODY things. Like play stupid tricks. The greats ACTUALLY DO SOME MEANINGFUL THINGS. If you want to be remembered like Jose Dominguez, go ahead doing what you normally do. If you want to be remembered as a football player with music interest, do the SAME THING. But if you want to be the greatest of all time, do something DIFFERENT.
All Rafael need is to grow up and understand that he is one of the leader in this present Milan team, as all Psg fans n management look up to Mbappe to carry Psg on his shoulder in all games so also we the fans of AC Milan look up to him to carry Milan on his shoulder in all competitions as long as he his fit, we all know that his performance can’t be the same in all games but if he must be up there like every other stars out there he must take responsibility, overall Rafael Leao is fantastic player.
He needs to be benched against Lecce. What’s the point of depth if you don’t use it. Maybe Rafa would give more if he played less.
I just don’t think he has it in him to be a leader. His talent earns him the #10 shirt but his work ethic deserves a warm up shirt.
that is why we often called him lazy right? because he doesn’t track back.. one doesn’t change drastically..
“one doesn’t change drastically..”
Well… If he wants the Ballon d’Or someday he really needs to. Without a change he won’t even reach the top-10.
You guys keep complaining about tracking back, and He does that sometimes. how many great player really track back Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe, Haaland, and do defensive duties? how many of them really track back? what if the coach wanted him to stay in the middle of his own half to launch a counter attack?
“how many great player really track back Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe, Haaland, and do defensive duties? how many of them really track back? ”
Are you REALLY that delusional and putting Leao into the same category with those guys??? Has any of them EVER played 7 matches in a row without scoring?