GdS: ‘Never been so decisive’ – Leao gives Milan wings to fly in central role

In the summer, it seemed that Rafael Leao would become a striker under Massimiliano Allegri’s guidance and so far, it is paying off massively for AC Milan.

Allegri’s return to Milan has seen a number of positives so far, and whilst the biggest is the league position, the Rossoneri have several other strong successes to look at. For example, the strength of the midfield and the defensive structure.

Perhaps the biggest involves the strikers, though. The Italian has not had two ‘proper’ goal scorers available to him, with injuries and poor form impacting his only traditional options. So, Christian Pulisic and Leao have been given a job.

Confidence and centrality

Of course, the American is doing his own thing, but the focus after this weekend is Leao, who has taken to this new role like a swan to water. There have been questions about him for years, whether it was his future, his ability to go up a level or his consistency.

Under Allegri, the focus has been stripped back, to just thinking about the now. Central to the team again, and now literally as well, he is more confident than he has ever been, with Gazzetta dello Sport writing that he has ‘never been so decisive’, as seen below.

The Portuguese was Allegri’s project in the summer, and he is only reaping the rewards of this transformation so far, especially with him scoring typical No.9 goals, like the one against Cagliari this weekend.

Decisive and mature

At the Unipol Domus, the stats do not read those of a decider – barring his goal – but this is where football must be watched with the eyes. Leao, who played through gritted teeth, gave himself to the team and his spirit was tangible.

His mentality has risen a level, and at the weekend he posted a story on Instagram quoting Kobe Bryant – ‘Is the job done? I don’t think so’. It is clear that he is not content with numbers that are already great.

He wants to be decisive for Milan, in a team that wins, and right now he is doing that. Now, it is about putting together a run of form, which has only been stopped by injuries so far. The birth of his twins has brought him greater maturity, and the decisive Leao makes the Diavolo dream again.

Allegri’s biggest task is certainly proving to be a success so far, but as Kobe said, the job isn’t done yet…