Ordine states Leao must turn fun into ‘fatal obsession’: “Must transform”

It is proving to be a fortnight of Rafael Leao this international break, with the AC Milan star being heavily scrutinised.

With a player like Leao returning, the focus on him hitting the ground running is going to be massive. After all, he is the player that Massimiliano Allegri wants to utilise the most, whilst also being the most expensive player on the wage book.

A certain level of performance is expected, and against Juventus, it is debatable if it actually did arrive or not. On one hand, you can suggest that he should’ve scored at least once. However, him getting into the positions is arguably more important at this stage.

Ordine and obsession

Had the scoreline been different at full-time, maybe the argument changes. In a 0-0, though, there is going to be more focus on what went wrong than right. For Franco Ordine, there is a need for Leao to become obsessed with scoring, as he wrote for Corriere dello Sport, via MilanNews.

“As soon as he arrived at Milanello, Max Allegri entrusted him with the role of vice-captain and gave him a mission: to become a decisive striker in terms of goals, not just dribbling and play for refined connoisseurs.

“Even the role is new, and it is on this point that many of Max’s experienced critics have begun to sharpen their blades. Before the muscle injury, which occurred on August 17 at San Siro, in the Coppa Italia against Bari, Leao, as a centre-forward, scored the only goal of the season, a header, from a Tomori cross.

“As a centre-forward, he found himself on Sunday night in Turin in the position to close out the match with a victory that would have guaranteed top spot in the table and perhaps even something better in terms of self-esteem for the new Milan.

“Leao drooled twice, once from the right position, and on the second occasion, cutting into the area from Modric’s visionary pass like a true number 9.

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

“So the key point, aside from improving his condition in the coming weeks, isn’t his role or even his recognised talent, but his desire to transform what he still considers a pastime into a fatal obsession. His obsession with scoring goals.”

“Max’s comment as Leao prepared for his substitution was telling: “Rafa, don’t **** me off.” There you have it: Leao didn’t hold back; he was at the heart of the game, he even showed heart this time, he demonstrated a ballistic magic from midfield that would take over social media for the next three to four months.

“He’s slowly settling into his new role and his new professional dimension. From his first training session at Milanello, Allegri has often urged him: “Rafa, shoot harder.” As soon as he manages to score by cultivating his killer instinct rather than his artistic flair, he’ll end up falling in love with the new Leao.”