GdS: ‘A derby of No.10s’ – Leao hoping to form lethal front two with Pulisic

Rafael Leao will play an important role for AC Milan in tomorrow’s derby against Inter, as despite being young, he’s the most experienced derby man on the team. 

Today’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport (see the features image) has focused on the battle of the No.10s, namely Lautaro Martinez for Inter and Rafael Leao for Milan. The latter has featured in an impressive 20 derbies so far, making tomorrow’s clash his 21st.

In fact, Inter are the opponents that he has faced the most in his career, followed by Roma and Torino at 15 encounters. Furthermore, Leao is also the Milan player who has been around the longest, joining the team in the summer of 2019.

Matteo Gabbia came through the youth ranks, of course, but he has been on loan a couple of times. As such, no one has as much experience playing in the Milan derby as Leao, which means he will need to step up and be a leader for this team.

As the newspaper continues, Rafa insists on calling himself ‘young’, but at 26 years of age and 268 Milan games, 75 goals and 20 derbies under his belt, he’s an adult in the prime of his career.

Leao assists, Pulisic’s composure

In the derby, Leao hasn’t found the back of the net since September 2023, when he scored in the disappointing 5-1 defeat. Last season, however, he provided two assists in the Coppa Italia (for Tijjani Reijnders) and in the Supercoppa Italiana (for Tammy Abraham), both of which helped secure two wins and a trophy.

Leao is obviously still keen on scoring goals in the big fixture, but the assist-focused role suits him regardless. Against Inter’s proven duo of Marcus Thuram and the aforementioned Lautaro, Milan will field Pulisic and Leao up front, who will start together for the first time in the league this season.

Photos: Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

It will be a litmus test to see if the two ‘match’, but the initial indications are indeed positive. Leao has the ability to create chances out of nowhere, while Pulisic can provide the finishing touch. This is something the stats back up as well.

If we look at Leao’s four goals in the league, two have come from distance and two from the penalty spot. Pulisic’s four goals, meanwhile, goals were all scored inside the box. In other words, we are talking about a No.10 and No.9, more so than a No.10 and a No.11.