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There were not many positives from the draw against Parma on Saturday night, but one of them was the performance of Rafael Leao.
Leao (53 goals plus 40 assists) is the only player with at least 40 goals and 40 assists in the last six Serie A seasons. He has been involved in five goals (four goals + one assist) in the last five Serie A matches.
As Calciomercato.com recall, Milan may have dropped two points in Parma and conceded twice to the worst attack in Europe’s ‘top five’ leagues, but Leao took further strides forward in his evolution from an attacking winger to a pure centre-forward.
The Portuguese was the best player on the pitch in terms of quality, intensity and attitude, as he tried to drag the team along in the final stages of the match. He should have another goal contribution too, but Christian Pulisic missed when alone in front of Zion Suzuki.
The evolution continues
Milan cannot do without Rafael Leao. All of the talk of his abilities, limitations and inconsistencies over the past few years are cast aside by the simple fact that he remains the biggest game-changer in the squad, leading to talk of a renewal.
Allegri has never hidden the fact that he’s one of Leao’s greatest admirers, and since the summer he has begun transforming Leao into a striker. It is risky and some might say ambitious given how good the ex-Lille man is in the open field, but by playing him closer to goal the hope is to unlock something.
The process isn’t complete yet, but considering his initial difficulties, the Portuguese’s progress over the past month is encouraging for the future. Against Parma, Leao played well with his back to goal, leading the team forward while also working hard out of possession.
He also provided an outlet with his aerial ability, allowing Christopher Nkunku and the midfielders to run forward and try get to his flick-ons. Then, there is the second penalty converted out of two: Milan found their spot kick taker and put an end to a glaring problem from last season.
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