Rafael Leao was Milan‘s worst player on the pitch according to La Gazzetta dello Sport but Milan coach Stefano Pioli defended the Portuguese striker admitting that he is living in a ‘strange situation.’
Leao, who was named the best Serie A player in 2021-22 following Milan’s first Serie A title in 11 years, hasn’t scored in the last 10 matches across all competitions and lost possession 14 times against the Granata, as highlighted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Leao was subbed off in the second half and the pink paper named the 23-year-old as Milan’s worst player in a 1-1 draw against Salernitana on Monday night, rating him €4.5/10.
‘He looks sad,’ noted Gazzetta, but Milan coach Pioli defended his star during a post-match press conference.
“Stay close to my players is my priority,” said the Rossoneri boss, as quoted by Milannews.
“Leao has a strange situation, he does very well in training, but during games, he lacks something. He must find a balance.”
Leao has nine goals and 10 assists in 34 appearances across all competitions this season and Milan are in talks to extend his contract expiring in June 2024.
With every performance he convinces me that he is going in the summer. Pioli can’t say that but I bet he thinks it.
The new system with the wingbacks pushed up means the opposition work to deny leao space. Deny him space, and he is basically almost totally nullified. His hold up play is non existent, and is also terrible when receiving balls with his back to goal. And then you add pitiful effort and you have a player who has looked totally disinterested for months.