1 week ago
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Rafael Leao is working on getting back towards 100% fitness, and he is fired up to become decisive for AC Milan once again.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) report, Leao is feeling better physically, making it easier for him to joke around and bring cheer. He confirmed his physical improvements on his personal social media accounts, stating on Instagram: “Doing much better.”
A video appeared on Milan’s accounts yesterday morning, showing him entering the pitch just behind Luka Modric, with Rafa pretending to play the violin as a tribute to the ‘maestro’. After a difficult period, these scenes confirm the positive progress of the treatment and physiotherapy.
Managing his adductor pain has been helpful, and now Leao is ready to re-conquer Milan, rested and motivated after merely being a spectator during the 3-0 victory in Bologna. He will be the point of reference for the attack, Rafa more than anyone else.
The Portuguese has more experience than Christopher Nkunku and, although not yet at his peak, is in better shape than Christian Pulisic. Leao trained regularly with the team yesterday, but Pulisic hasn’t yet, though he should do today or tomorrow.
Rafa charged up
On 29 previous occasions, Leao’s goals have been decisive in earning a win for Milan. These include goals that saw him as the match-winner or those that broke the deadlock in matches that ended with a larger margin of victory.
The first time was away from home, in 2020 against Cagliari. In his first season at the club he gave Milan the lead, and once the game was unlocked, it was Zlatan Ibrahimovic who had the simple task of closing it out and making it 2-0.
That same season, Leao decided the big match against Juventus, scoring the 3-2 goal in the 4-2 comeback win. Among the decisive goals – some more decisive than the others – that brought success and the Scudetto, are those vs. Sampdoria, Genoa, Fiorentina and Atalanta in the Scudetto run-in.
There are also cup competitions to consider. Leao decided Milan-Girona last January in the Champions League, or more recently he broke the deadlock in his season debut in the Coppa Italia against Bari.
This season, Rafa also scored in the win against Fiorentina, repeated the feat against Lazio, and finally added three points thanks to his goal in Cagliari 0-1 Milan at the start of the year.
Another three-point goal would bring the total to 30 games in which Leao’s presence made the difference. There’s another round number Rafa has in his sights: he’s on 78 goals for AC Milan, his target is 80, as soon as possible.
A physical battle
When his injury problems became acute, his performance suffered. Leao had also been decisive in securing a draw against Genoa, the last match he played in full, before sitting out in Florence and only coming on in the final half-hour.
He made three more starts against Como, Lecce and Roma, scoring none and being substituted each time. His sacrifice was rewarded with an assist in the 3-1 win against Cesc Fabregas’ side and little else.
It was clear that the adductor problem was limiting his sprints, his strong point. So he stayed on the bench against Bologna, getting up for a quick warm-up and running to meet Adrien Rabot after the goal that made it three-nil.
Now it’s Leao’s turn once again to take charge of the attacking production. Despite a season hampered by a few ailments, he has seven league goals. Last season he was one eight, nine two years ago. As a centre-forward, Rafa is less flashy but even more incisive.
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