While a lot of attention was rightly on the new signings, the strongest image from AC Milan’s win over Empoli last night might be the hug between Sergio Conceiçao and Rafael Leão.
As Calciomercato.com recall, Conceicao thanked the ‘strongest talent in the squad’ for scoring the goal that brought three important points for the chase for fourth place, an ‘enormous symbolic message’ after a difficult night.
A necessary premise is that Leão was not 100% due to a small problem with his ankle. This can be considered the unofficial version to explain the winger’s second consecutive start on the bench bench after the one against Roma.
Against Empoli the former Lille man was sent on the pitch by Conceicao at the start of the second half, and showed that he can make the difference even at 80% of his condition. He scored his fifth league goal with the least-used move in his repertoire: a header.
Leao being on the bench this season is certainly not a novelty given it had already happened several times even in the fleeting management of Paulo Fonseca. The novelty lies entirely in the different attitude of the Portuguese, who came on with great determination both vs. Roma and Empoli.
Rafa understood that Conceicao’s choices are made for the good of the team but also for his own because now he will be able to take the field in Rotterdam against Feyenoord on Wednesday in better physical condition.
Sergio expects a lot from him, both in the possession phase and without the ball, but he wants to continue this path one step at a time. The willingness received from Leao is maximum and positive, which suggests he is turning a corner from a mentality perspective.
