The Italian press lauded Rafael Leao and Pierre Kalulu for their strong performances in Milan’s vital 2-0 win over Atalanta yesterday.
The match against Gian Piero Gasperini’s side was a must-win match for the Rossoneri yesterday, as their title race with rivals Inter goes down to the wire. The Nerazzurri’s victory over Cagliari yesterday means that only two points separate the top two with one game to go.
Goals from Leao and Theo Hernandez secured the three points for Milan yesterday, meaning a draw against Sassuolo will secure the Scudetto.
The Portuguese forward had another great game yesterday, as highlighted by La Gazette dello Sport, who wrote “give him a game to break through and he won’t let you down.” Corriere dello Sport called Leao “predestined”, underlining how he drove the fans crazy with his opening goal. Tuttosport agreed, calling him “devastating”.
Kalulu also received praise from the press, who highlighted how Milan made the right decision betting on him in January instead of bringing in a low-cost backup. La Gazzetta dello Sport wrote how Orsato “pardoned him in his only blunder”, not booking him for the foul on Matteo Pessina. Tuttosport underlined how Kalulu was at “the top of his game, despite being booked.”
Leao’s ratings in the Italian newspapers:
La Gazzetta dello Sport 8
Tuttosport 7.5
Corriere dello Sport 8
Kalulu’s ratings in the Italian newspapers:
La Gazzetta dello Sport 7
Tuttosport 7
Corriere dello Sport 7
Milano Saimo Noi
From Cape Town
I wonder what price leao will command in the summer.
Surely some of the big EPL clubs will be interested.
He is a great talent, no doubt about it. But for the great amount of money I would sell him. If his head is right he could be devastating. But sometimes his behaviour is …like he does not care.
Kalulu is a gem.
Kalulu was man of the match for me
Honestly, Tomori and Kalulu partnership has been the revelation of the season at Milan. And now Botman is going to come in and boot Kalulu out?
Nobody’s booting Kalulu out on this form. The biggest teams need at least three great center backs, but if I was Pioli I’d seriously consider 3-4-3 for next season. It will put everyone in their best positions and solve a lot of issues like the need for a number 10, which we don’t have.
——————Maignan——————
——Kalulu—Tomori—Botman——
Florenzi—Tonali—Bennacer—Theo
——(?)———Origi———Leao——
Calabria or Saelemaekers could play instead of Florenzi. Sanches could come in and play instead of those two center all midfielders. Maybe we can buy a better striker to play instead of Origi, but as it is only a new right winger is needed and he must be wan elite player.
I doubt Pioli will change his working formation though.