Olivier Giroud was one of the stars of the show in Milan’s 2-1 win over Sampdoria yesterday, but the same cannot be said for Rafael Leao.
The Rossoneri secured all three points at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris yesterday after a tense battle with Marco Giampaolo’s side. Junior Messias opened the scoring after only six minutes but things got a little complicated after Rafael Leao was shown a second yellow card just after the half time break.
Filip Djuricic found an equaliser just before the hour mark but a Giroud penalty 10 minutes later allowed Milan to take home the win.
La Gazzetta dello Sport praised Giroud for his strong performance, detailing how he’s “titular by force, decisive by nature. Before the three-point penalty he came close to scoring with his usual turn.” Corriere dello Sport also appreciated his work, highlighting how he was “forced into overtime after Origi’s injury. He played his fifth game in a row and also had a hand in Milan’s lead with a crucial cutback in the box. He coolly converted the 2-1 penalty.”
Tuttosport had the highest praise of all for the veteran Frenchman, “you don’t want to say he has to take a break. He is too important for the way he runs the move and assists his team-mates. In fact he put his hand in the action of the first goal. Then he carries the team on his shoulders, like a champion, procuring and converting the penalty.”
Whilst Giroud impressed, Leao did not. Corriere dello Sport noted their frustration with the Portuguese star, saying “uncontainable at the start of the match, and in fact from one of his outbursts Messias’ goal was born. The double yellow spoilt a good match.”
La Gazzetta dello Sport were even less satisfied with Leao’s work, noting how “Rafa creates and Rafa destroys, he’s key for Messias’ goal, then naivety leaves his team a man down. And against Napoli he won’t be there.” Corriere della Sera also had mixed feelings about the 23-year-old’s performance, underlining “the best ever until he got kicked out for a dangerous challenge in Ferrari’s face, not bad but avoidable.”
Giroud’s ratings in the Italian newspapers:
La Gazzetta dello Sport: 7
Corriere della Sera: 7
Corriere dello Sport: 7
Tuttosport: 8
Leao’s ratings in the Italian newspapers:
La Gazzetta dello Sport: 4
Corriere della Sera: 4.5
Corriere dello Sport: 5
Tuttosport: 6
I can’t blame Leao. He was playing well, then his first yellow was down to refs stupidity more than anything. Very harsh.
Maybe he ought to know better when trying an overhead kick when on a yellow but he had every right to go for that. Overhead kicks are not illegal and the defender suddenly attacked the ball with his face. Again he couldn’t know.
A yellow card for that may as well day over head kicks are illegal so don’t bother. Ridiculous second yellow, taking the rare spectacular out of the game.
Yes or he could have been more careful when doing overhead kicks , he is big as a horse.
The first yellow was a terrible decision. The second was reckless on his part, knowing he was on a yellow. He needs to make better decisions.
It’s an oversight on Leao’s part and Pioli evidently warned him at halftime to be cautious, but then this happened…. It’s gonna hurt playing against Napoli without Leao. I hope the team comes together and plays tough. I’m guessing either Theo or Origi will take Leao’s place.
Theo on LW would be interesting, probably with Dest as LB?
But too risky to try it on Napoli to be honest..