Rafael Leao was the star of the show for AC Milan – at least among outfield players – as he sparked a comeback win over Genoa.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport recall, Leao was yellow carded in the closing stages of the win and that means he will serve a suspension on Friday in the league game against Bologna. Given what comes five days later, it might not be the worst thing in the world.
Leao was cautioned last night for an unfair foul on Vitinha, but no one was upset. He won’t be there on Friday, but never mind. It’s the end of the season, legs are full of lactic acid and giving yourself a bit of rest before the final isn’t bad at all.
Sergio Conceicao meanwhile is waiting for him on the pitch at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday next week, when everyone will be called upon to give a modicum of meaning to a sad and disheartening season.
Reflections already made
On the other hand, Conceiçao had already made the decision to rest Leao, because he was left out of the starting line-up last night. The coach would have put even fewer minutes in Rafa’s legs if he hadn’t been forced by Youssouf Fofana’s injury to throw him in after half an hour.
How did it go? It’s simple: Leao, when he’s on form, is on another level, but he has to press that switch. Let’s be honest: his posture and expression, when he came on – under a merciless downpour that didn’t help his good mood – weren’t that great.
It seemed like one of those games where he would be a bit sloppy. Then, as often happens, he started creating. Leao should have had an assist for Christian Pulisic who missed a 1v1, then in the second half he equalised via a deflected shot before forcing the own-goal for the winner.
The magic formula
We return, as always, to the usual reflections: Milan need to find the magic formula to keep him in this kind of form, but in the meantime it is normal to wait for him as the protagonist in pectore of the cup final.
After the game, the winger said: “The coach has changed the module and we are more compact. Everyone works for the good of the team and this time whoever came on made the difference.” There is a pinch, rightly, of self-referentiality in these words, and certainly also of pride.
So he likes the new formation, probably because there is more cover behind and therefore he has to do less defensive work. In the meantime he continues his march away from San Siro: the eight goals in the league have all come away.
The final against Bologna will not be staged at the San Siro but at the Stadio Olimpico, where this year he has already scored (against Lazio). Could it be a positive sign?
