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Rafael Leao has recovered for tomorrow’s clash between AC Milan and Roma, as highlighted by Gazzetta dello Sport, and he will certainly play a key role for the Rossoneri.
Milan have been struggling with injuries in the last few weeks, and when reports suggested that Leao was in doubt for this weekend’s game, things were looking very dire. Fortunately, the winger has recovered and will be available.
As highlighted by today’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport (see photo at the bottom), the sun wasn’t shining at Milanello yesterday but Rafael Leao’s smile put everyone in a good mood. Indeed, the No.10 returned to group training after the minor hip problem.
Allegri launches new duo
Seeing as Santiago Gimenez should miss the game due to injury, as the pink newspaper continues, the starting duo up front should be Leao and Christopher Nkunku. In other words, instead of the Frenchman replacing the Portuguese as we saw mid-week, they should now play together.
Indeed, Leao is feeling much better after the hip problem that stopped him against Atalanta and Massimiliano Allegri will evaluate him during today’s training session. That said, everything suggests that he will be on the pitch from the first minute.
If the above is confirmed, it would be the first game from start for the Leao-Nkunku duo. The two have only been on the pitch together for short periods: 16 minutes against Juventus and 14 minutes against Pisa.
A tough but exciting challenge
Against Atalanta earlier this week, Leao suffered greatly from Atalanta’s pressing in the first half, like many other Milan players. Roma, meanwhile, have been known to press a lot but not when Matias Soule and Paulo Dybala are both on the pitch.
As such, the Rossoneri could be given a little more breathing room tomorrow and for that reason, Allegri is tempted to field two strikers up front. As opposed to fielding one striker and Ruben Loftus-Cheek behind, that is.
If there’s any player who can eliminate all tactical moves in a second, though, it’s Leao. Thanks to his overwhelming physical strength and technical brilliance, the Portuguese forward is capable of igniting out of nowhere, but also of losing his composure when called upon to carry the team.
Goals and disappointments
In the last meeting between Milan and Roma at San Siro, Leao was actually sidelined. The 1-1 draw was the straw that broke the camel’s back for Paulo Fonseca, who was sacked after the game, but the No.10 also has fond memories from facing the Giallorossi.
In the Scudetto year, for example, his goal against Rui Patricio under the Curva Sud ended a goal drought of over two months. This also launched the Portuguese forward into an extraordinary second half of the season, later becoming the key factor in the Scudetto triumph.
His other goal against Roma in 14 matches came on September 1, 2023, this time in a 2-1 win at the Olimpico. That same year, however, the Giallorossi eliminated AC Milan from the Europa League, with Leao in the shadows and receiving criticism.
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