MN: A ‘cheat code’ deactivated – Leao facing questions on condition and position

Rafael Leao has scored eight goals in 18 games this season for AC Milan, and yet there is still a big question mark (or two) hanging over his head.

As MilanNews write, Massimiliano Allegri never misses an opportunity to reiterate in his press conferences and TV interviews that Leao isn’t yet at his best physically and is dealing with pain in his adductor muscles.

In other words, he has inflammation that comes and goes, and there’s also the risk – if the situation isn’t managed properly – of it developing into pubalgia. It is the latest physical issue for the Portuguese in a tough campaign.

Fitness and formation

Before this latest setback – one that he is trying to play through – Leao already missed over one month at the start of the season due to a calf injury suffered in the Milan-Bari Coppa Italia match.

His new role has shown he can make an impact even when he’s only half-fit. Goals, penalties and assists to set up his team-mates have come despite his issues, precisely because in a front two he is occupying spaces closer to goal.

Yet, this in itself is divisive. During his time at Milan, Rafa has accustomed everyone to his 100-mile-per-hour runs down the left flank and his dribbles that beat multiple players. It is a ‘cheat code’ of sorts that only very few players have, yet it hasn’t been seen for a long time.

Photo by AC Milan

With pain to manage and playing in tighter spaces, Leao is no longer able to be that game-breaker, and he isn’t making opponents tremble in open play. It’s commendable that he’s still trying to lend a hand at a time when Allegri needs him, with others not 100%, but there are questions about sustainability.

Max continues to play him because he’s convinced that with his quality he can still be decisive. The perfect example was in Como: a very poor 45 minutes, then a gorgeous assist for Adrien Rabiot’s first goal of the night.

Several days will pass between Sunday’s draw in Roma – another tough night for Leao – and the next trip Bologna. Then, there will be another uninterrupted period between the Bologna and Pisa matches, and this is a chance for Leao to get back to full fitness, or at least try to.

If he doesn’t manage it, he’ll have to think carefully. Santiago Gimenez is a bit of a worrying precedent in this sense: the Mexican tried to play through an injury he thought he could manage, and then ended up under the knife.