Milan coach Paulo Fonseca has spoken about his decision to leave Rafae Leao out of the starting line-up for the 3-2 victory over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, explaining that ‘the team needs this version of Rafa’.
Leao was not included in the starting line-up for Milan’s midweek Champions League victory. Noah Okafor took his place instead.
The Portugal international emerged from the bench at half-time while the scores were level at 1-1, and provided the spark and the goal that put Milan back ahead just over 20 minutes later.
Fonseca on Leao: ‘The team needs this version of Rafa’
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s Serie A match against Empoli, Fonseca admitted that he has tried several approaches when it comes to motivating Leao.
He feels that some methods have been more successful than others, but claims that Leao, on his current form, is the player that Milan need to have at their disposal every week.
Asked if it is better to have Leao on the pitch rather than on the bench, Fonseca said: “Now, yes.
“With Leao I used two strategies: One had no results, the other did. I’m happy that Rafa had this reaction, but I Want continuity. The team needs this version of Rafa.”