GdS: Fatherhood and Allegri’s requests – how Leao has become ‘a new man and a new player’

Rafael Leao has been working hard over the break to make his big return, and for Massimiliano Allegri it cannot come soon enough.

La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) report that Leao is ‘a new man and a new player’. During the days off granted by Allegri, he hasn’t been at the beach, having fun with friends, or listening to his favourite music.

He flew to Portugal for the sweetest celebration: the first birthday of his twins, Tiago and Leonardo. It’s the first time the player has shown his family so openly, including his children in red and black bodysuits.

Rafa is no longer just a player or a musician; the new phase of his life and career sees him as a father. This brings with it new responsibilities, all of which the ‘new Leao’ seemed to have demonstrated in his only very brief appearance of the season, before an unfortunate absence.

Crucial role

Leao had a different approach when he entered the pitch in the only competitive game he has played this season, the Coppa Italia win over Bari. He showed a less casual attitude than usual and seemed more focused on the moment.

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that his first goal of the year came from a header, a technical move that isn’t one of his key qualities and that he must have trained for over the summer, finally convinced he wants to improve on his deficiencies.

Photos: Yong Teck Lim + Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Headed goals are often the prerogative of true centre-forwards, which is what Max asked him to become, far from the comfort zone of the flank and ready to explore previously uncharted territory like the penalty area.

Leao will be the team’s new go-to striker: an atypical No.9, so much so that for the first time in the club’s recent history that shirt number hasn’t been assigned. Rafa has kept his 10, a number that probably wouldn’t go to a winger usually either.

What the coach will ask of him will be very different from his usual runs down the flank: in Allegri’s new 3-5-2, Pervis Estupinan will be the left-back. Leao will play more centrally, alongside Pulisic, who will be assigned the role of second striker.

The former Lille man will be more focused on calling for the ball in behind and creating space for his teammates to run forward into. It is a new role, which requires new skills and a much more collaborative attitude.

While he might have been able to fire up intermittently before, he will now need to be constantly connected to the team’s play. On and off the pitch. Having arrived at Milan in the summer of 2019, Rafa is one of the team’s key players.

Excluding Matteo Gabbia, who grew up at Milanello but has been loaned out a couple of times, Leao boasts the longest tenure in the squad. For this reason, Max expects more commitment in the dressing room, to make him a leader of the group.

Starting when?

Allegri expects Rafael Leao back for Sunday evening against Bologna, when Serie A resumes. Yesterday, despite the team’s rest period, the forward was already at work at the training centre, working on his own personalised recovery program.

The team’s preparations are scheduled to resume this afternoon, following the three days of rest granted by Max. Rafa will not yet be back with the squad but will be considered fully recovered to start on Sunday if he joins his team-mates tomorrow, even partially.

If his return to the team is delayed, it will be assessed day by day, but there’s no guarantee of having him start against Bologna. The diagnosis was a strained right calf, with recovery time uncertain, and there is no intention to rush things and cause any further damage.