MN: Biggest weapon vs. a well-balanced machine – the task Allegri faces with Leao

AC Milan have become accustomed to winning without Rafael Leao this season, but now Massimiliano Allegri can bring him back into the fold.

As MilanNews write, just a month passed from the defeat against Cremonese to Sunday’s victory against Napoli, yet Milan are a completely different team. Allegri’s side seems to have finally found balance, as well as compactness, defensive solidity and a rather clear identity.

All this has come without the assistance of Leao, who returned for a cameo against the Italian champions after more than a month out due to injury. The Portuguese’s absence was not felt at all and they may have even benefited from it, taking responsibility and devising other solutions.

Now, however, with the Portuguese’s return, Allegri will have the task of reintroducing Leao into this team without upsetting the established balance.

Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Leao returns

To cut out any debate, Leao is an undisputed starter in Allegri’s eyes. His pace, his ability to ignite a game in a flash and draw multiple defenders to him (just like he did against Napoli) are essential qualities.

For this reason, the Milan coach will find a way and a solution to reintegrate the former Lille star into his team, even at the risk of disrupting a machine that now seems to be working. Without Leao, the Rossoneri have developed some different mechanisms.

Leao’s introduction could certainly initially create some imbalance, especially in defence, but the No.10 would be a key player in attack against, especially because he could become a lethal weapon in transition.

Milan will soon be able to rely on their star man but he will still need to regain his fitness after a month out. With Juventus on the horizon, it’s hard to imagine him in the starting XI, but the path is clear: he will be brought back in, perhaps gradually, to keep a good thing going.