Unhappy Leao makes plea to Milan fans after Como draw: “We all have to stick together”

Rafael Leao has admitted that he understands the jeers from some AC Milan fans, but urged the supporters to get behind the team.

Leao netted his eighth goal of the season, and it was perhaps his most intriguing one yet. With Como leading in the second half, Ardon Jashari lobbed a ball over the top that the Portuguese got to before Jean Butez who had come flying off his line, allowing a lob to nestle in from 25 yards.

Although the Rossoneri pushed and probed to try and find a winner, they were ultimately unable to, and that means that they are now seven points behind Inter. With 12 games to play, the title hopes are fading fast, especially given the Nerazzurri are barely slipping up in the league at all.

Leao makes plea to fans

Leao spoke to DAZN shortly after collecting his Player of the Match award from Lega Serie A, and he offered his assessments of the game. MilanNews relayed his words.

You don’t look happy…

“It was a match we had to win. In my opinion, we played much better than the last game against them. In the first half, we could have been more incisive in front of goal.

“We conceded the first goal, but we kept playing, the whole team. And then in the second half, we lacked more determination in the final passes or crosses.

“This is a time of the season where I ask all the fans to show the same energy. I understand the boos after this draw because Milan fans always want to win, but there comes an important moment of the season where we all have to stick together.”

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

You are now 7 points behind Inter…

“There are so many games. Serie A is becoming very difficult, and you never know who’s going to win every game. Today we wanted to win, but now we have another one in a few days, and we’ll try to win. Then we’ll see.”

The hug to Maignan after the goal was a nice moment…

“I care a lot about him. Since he arrived, he’s been a very important person to me. We played together in Lille, and he helps me every day on and off the pitch, just like all his teammates. He was an extra support after the goal, it was a difficult moment after that mistake on the goal.

“Our group is fantastic; today Ardon played a great game and showed he’s ready. He’s the energy we have to aim for great things.”