GdS: Suzuki and Leao involved in tense penalty exchange – the reconstruction

Zion Suzuki and Rafael Leao were involved in an interesting exchange before AC Milan’s second goal against Parma on Saturday night.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport recall, it was a perfect penalty from Leao. Suzuki guessed the right way, but there was so much power and precision on the strike that the Japan international didn’t even end up getting near it.

The most interesting part, however, happened shortly after the penalty was awarded. Massimiliano Allegri shouted from the sidelines ‘Either Rafa shoots or Nkunku shoots’, and the Portuguese took the ball. The goalkeeper then attempted a psychological trick.

What Suzuki said

It’s clear from the images. Suzuki looks at Leao and extends his right arm, then speaks. His lips aren’t readable, but the meaning is clear: “Put it here.” Leao accepts the provocation and hits the ball across his body (rather than trying to place it the other side).

Then, instead of running to celebrate, he stays close to the spot and looks at Suzuki. Matteo Gabbia, as with the yellow card he avoided for not removing his shirt against Fiorentina, is the first to understand. He ran to Leao, hugged him and got between the two to cool things down.

Was it over? Not quite. Leao, walking backwards toward midfield, takes the satisfaction of saying a few words to Suzuki. It was very similar to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s penalty against Julio Cesar in 2011-12. The message is clear: you tried, but it didn’t work. They’ll see each other again.