Rafael Leao was UEFA’s Man Of The Match against Newcastle yesterday, but the Milan ace was strongly criticised by Italian media and according to both Gazzetta and Il Corriere dello Sport, he was even the worst player at San Siro on Tuesday.
Leao was named Man Of The Match in Milan’s draw against Newcastle by UEFA. The Technical Observer Panel noted the Portuguese had been “a constant threat all game. Quick, strong, showing good movement and proving a real danger in the box. The Portuguese had good chances to score, too.”
However, UEFA’s verdict was not shared by most Italian media. Wednesday’s Pagelle – Player ratings – were quite harsh on the Portuguese, who was the worst player on the pitch on Tuesday, according to Gazzetta and Il Corriere dello Sport.
Both papers mainly blamed Leao for missing a golden chance in the first half, when he tried to score with a backheel shot and ended up falling to the ground. Corriere dello Sport added that the San Siro crowd mumbled and Leao looked “distracted.”
Tuttosport was not soft with Leao either calling his attempt to score a backheel goal “comical.”
Leao was rated 4.5 by Gazzetta, 4 by Corriere dello Sport, 5 by Tuttosport and 5.5 by Football Italia.