TMW: Elongated absence, ‘different’ plans and bench role – what filters about Leao’s situation

A journalist has shed a bit more light on the situation surrounding Rafael Leao, after all the stories in recent days.

Leao started life under Massimiliano Allegri well, scoring goals in preseason and then netting with a header in the first competitive game against Bari. However, he was forced off with a calf injury minutes after that goal, and had to spend six weeks out.

He made a return against Napoli but the game situation (being a man down due to a red card for Pervis Estupinan) didn’t help his ability to impact thing. Against Juventus on Sunday, however, he came on and perhaps cost two points with a couple of glaring misses.

Massimiliano Allegri apparently reprimanded the Portuguese forward for his approach, and this has opened a can of worms about Leao’s role in the Milan squad and tactical set-up.

Now, TMW journalist Marco Conterio has tweeted some more information. He writes: “Everything about the (non) issue at Milan involving Rafael Leao and Massimiliano Allegri:

– After the Juventus match, a confrontation with the team and a reprimand for the player regarding approach and motivation;

– Leao’s absence ‘hides’ more significant physical issues than a strain. 45 days is the timeline… For a strain?

– It’s possible that after the break he won’t start as a regular, but due to a technical decision;

– No chance (and no communication from Milan) regarding a possible departure in January: the parties will reassess in the summer regarding the future;

– In the summer, Leao’s and Milan’s plans were ‘different’: the player had been promised a central role… In a trident, not in a two-man attack.”