History doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes, and that is the case for Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao who face being benched again, by a different coach.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) recall, back in August a Portuguese manager – Paulo Fonseca – sent them to the bench as a punishment for what happened during the game against Parma. On Saturday in Lecce it will be Conceiçao who decides their fate, and it will likely be the same.
Playing away could have been a welcome break, even if away from home Milan has collected 17 points, seven less than the 24 at home. Getting away from the tension would have been beneficial, so as not to hear whistles and jeers of San Siro.
The targets on Sunday night were Theo and Leao, the most talented players in the team and once leaders, but today (this applies to Hernandez, much less so for Rafa) they are ‘dead weight’ in the eyes of many.
The left side was once Milan’s strength, yet now it is another weakness. Even Lazio’s first goal was born from weak coverage by the Frenchman, while Leao in the opposite direction was unable to make an impact, instead the usual imprecise crosses and swerves in the area with no outlets.
‘Against everything and everyone’
Leao felt the pressure during the game, or rather in one part of the stadium: he took it out on some fans sitting in the first tier. As the match continued he could be seen bickering with supporters.
Criticism came from a section of the spectators that Rafa understood were not the only ones to feel such as way, so much so that he posted something on social media to let it be known the squad do not feel supporters.
In an Instagram story he published a photo accompanied by a message: “Unfortunately we are against everything and everyone. We are working to get positive results again and the group will continue to be more united than ever!”
It is not the first time that Rafa and San Siro find themselves in a tormented phase of the relationship: in other times the calm had returned, this time it will be more difficult. The whole of Milan is in a storm, and Leao is involved as the team’s most quality player.
There has been no shortage of goals and assists, but consistency has certainly been lacking again. Now the fans expect him to take the team by the hand, but the former Lille man is struggling to grasp it.
The future
Leao and Milan could decide to separate at the end of the season. It is a possibility, even if at the moment there are no concrete options. In essence, there are no offers. The only one, and one that the player could consider, is from Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
In the coming weeks, Leao will have to not only make an impact but also demonstrate his attachment to the club – the one he showed off on social media – so that the home crowd can be patient and generous again. At least until the end of the season.
The rift with Theo, on the other hand, cannot be mended, not even with time. Two days ago he approached to take a corner kick and was showered by whistles. The San Siro crowd no longer tolerates distractions on the pitch, and they believe Theo is playing with the handbrake on.
Theo has given so much, he has built the record for goals in Serie A (30) and now risks undoing everything with a disastrous season. His contract expires in 2026 will not be renewed, so buyers will be sought in the summer to avoid a free transfer next year.
