‘No acceleration’ – Bianchin says Leao risked injury by starting in Cagliari-Milan

Rafael Leao played from the first minute in AC Milan’s clash against Cagliari, despite being in subpar condition, and could have sustained an injury as a result. 

Instead, however, Leao managed to follow the strict instructions of the medical staff and scored the winner for the Rossoneri. Massimiliano Allegri’s gamble, even if it was more or less forced, thus paid off and he was able to breathe a sigh of relief afterwards.

As explained by Luca Bianchin for Gazzetta dello Sport, Leao arrived for the game with an inflammation in his right adductor. This inflammation, in the worst-case scenario, could have resulted in a pubalgia which would have been a huge blow for the player.

Due to the above, Leao was given pretty strict instructions by the medical staff: no acceleration, no changes of direction, basically no Leao. It became pretty clear to everyone watching that he was working at around 70%, never making any runs at his maximum pace.

Still, even without the acceleration that has made him so successful in this league, Leao managed to score the only goal of the game. He controlled the ball in the box with his right foot, and then fired a powerful left-footed effort past the goalkeeper.

Allegri can be happy with the outcome as Milan, like the No.10, were extremely effective and did their best with what they had.