MN: Energy, vision, dynamism – Leao emerges as one of few positives in Chelsea defeat

AC Milan’s 4-1 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge didn’t have too many positives, but one of them was Rafael Leao’s performance.

After yesterday afternoon’s draw against Leeds, Milan lost to Chelsea in a one-sided affair for most of the match, partly due to Andrei Coubis’s red card. Massimiliano Allegri’s men struggled in a friendly that nevertheless proved useful in increasing the playing time of all their players.

Leao a shining light

As MilanNews recalls, Leao attempted to bring some real energy to an attack that was struggling. The Portuguese was undoubtedly the extra man, the one who tried to trouble a well-organised Blues defence.

Instead, Leao proved himself to be a leader, which is what Allegri wants and is asking of him in this phase of preparation for next season. He was always in the thick of things, with good vision even when he had to drop back to defend and contain the opposition’s pressure.

Photo by AC Milan

It was a good display and confirmation of how the Portuguese is fully embracing the initial instructions that Allegri is giving him, and he was once again played in an unfamiliar role as a striker rather than wide left, given the use of a 3-5-1-1.

The disallowed goal also gave indications too as he made use of his frame to net with a lovely glancing header. The indications are certainly positive ahead of the start of competitive action in one week against Bari.

The assessment of Leao in our player ratings was as follows: “Leao (6.5): Like Saelemaekers, it was a very difficult task but he managed to create chances from long balls. The passing in the final third perhaps lacked a little composure at times, but he should’ve had an assist for Fofana after a nice one-two.”