Gazzetta dello Sport report that Sérgio Conceição has laid down the gauntlet to Rafael Leão, making it clear that the Portuguese winger must contribute defensively or risk losing his place in AC Milan’s starting lineup. This ultimatum comes in the wake of Milan’s recent signings, which have provided Conceição with more tactical flexibility and alternatives in attack.
The arrivals of Santiago Giménez and João Félix have reshaped Milan’s offensive capabilities, allowing Conceição to implement his preferred 4-4-2 formation—a system he frequently employed during his successful tenure at Porto. This tactical shift, however, demands more from the wide players, particularly in terms of defensive work rate and positional discipline.
Conceição’s message to Leão was unambiguous: “Leão can do much more because he has incredible quality and is a player of another level. He must work hard even when he doesn’t have the ball because he plays in a collective and must make himself available to the team. Leaving the comfort zone isn’t easy, but for me, it’s essential.”
The coach understands that while Leão may never transform into a full-fledged wing-back, he needs the Portuguese star to actively participate in pressing, track back to cover opposing full-backs, and show urgency in recovering possession when it’s lost. This defensive contribution is crucial for maintaining the team’s balance, especially considering the more attack-minded setup Conceição envisions.
Milan’s midfield, anchored by Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders, provides solid defensive cover, but the team risks being exposed if the four forward players don’t contribute defensively. Giménez has already shown willingness to work hard off the ball, João Félix put in a shift during his brief appearance, and Christian Pulisic is known for his defensive diligence. The question mark remains over Leão’s commitment to these aspects of the game.
Conceição has options if Leão doesn’t adapt. The coach could deploy Yunus Musah on the right wing with Pulisic on the left, or use João Félix wide left with Pulisic as a number 10 and Musah on the right. Samuel Chukwueze and Santiago Giménez are also available for the wide positions.
The message is clear: if Leão doesn’t heed Conceição’s instructions, he may find himself on the bench—a fate he briefly experienced under Paulo Fonseca. With a packed schedule ahead, including Serie A fixtures and Champions League matches, Conceição doesn’t have the luxury of time to wait for Leão to adjust.
The demands on Leão are straightforward—participate in the defensive phase, a responsibility from which he was largely exempt under Stefano Pioli to maximize his offensive impact. Conceição has shown he’s not afraid to bench key players, even his own son Francisco at Porto, for similar reasons. If Leão doesn’t adapt quickly, he may well be watching Milan’s upcoming matches from the sidelines.
