Over the past couple of days, since Alvaro Morata’s injury, the idea of Rafael Leao playing as the centre-forward has once again emerged.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport write, although Leao has almost always started on the left during his time at Milan (though he has played up front on a few occasions), his movements on the pitch are far more nomadic.
At various moments of the match he plays in the centre of the attack, as if he were a No.9. This was even on show during Saturday’s draw against Torino at San Siro, when Milan were remodelled slightly with Luka Jovic up front from minute one.
Under Fonseca, the Rossoneri have often start their build-up action with the Portuguese and Samuel Chukwueze wide, in a more advanced position than Christian Pulisic and the centre-forward (Jovic on Saturday, Morata when he is there, even Lorenzo Colombo or Marco Nasti in the United States).
It is a precise choice by new coach, who evidently wants his striker and his attacking midfielder ready to create a quadrilateral with the two midfielders, while waiting to see how he lines the team up in Parma.
However, Leao has exchanged positions with the striker several times, in friendlies and on Saturday evening. It is essentially preparatory work ahead of playing with Morata, who historically loves to move to the left.
Here, two questions arise about the new Milan attack. Can Leao become a mobile forward like Thierry Henry? When asked specifically, Rafa responded in a way that suggests he is not convinced about the idea.
“I can play close to the striker but now, with a more tactical style of football, teams move back and occupy the central area a lot. I haven’t played with my back to the goal for years and I need space, to see the whole pitch. I don’t see myself playing as a centre forward any time soon,” he said.
Fonseca still wants him to start wide, ask for the ball and look for one-twos to get into the area, while of course remaining aware that his compatriot does the most damage in the open field.
The second question has been around for years: how many would Leao score if he were better in front of goal? The premise is that he doesn’t shoot particularly well, and though he has a trademark right-footed curler he is less dangerous than other wingers from outside the area.
In one-on-one situations with the goalkeeper he alternates great plays – the lob seen against Napoli, the dribbling against Cagliari – with glaring errors. Against Torino he missed a one-on-one and put another chance over from close range.
If he improved in these things, he would become a different player. An example: against Monza in the Silvio Berlusconi Trophy, he went close with a header and also let fly from distance, decisions we’ve rarely seen from him in the past. The mission, as it is at the start of every season, is 20 goals.
