RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 06: Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates victory while wearing his winners medal following the Italian Super Cup Final between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Kingdom Arena on January 06, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 06: Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates victory while wearing his winners medal following the Italian Super Cup Final between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Kingdom Arena on January 06, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Former Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi is ‘even more angry’ with Rafael Leao after the Portuguese’s ‘exceptional’ display against Inter in the Supercoppa Final.

The Portuguese returned from an injury and was a game-changer in Milan’s 3-2 win over Inter in the Supercoppa Final.

The Rossoneri recovered from two goals down after the Portuguese was introduced as a substitute in the second half, and Leao provided the assist for Tammy Abraham’s late winner.

Sacchi admitted that Milan deserved to beat their city rivals: “It was an even game, but the Rossoneri put in that bit of extra wickedness,” the former Italian coach told Gazzetta.

“First thing, it was such a nice game, played with the intensity of a Premier League match. A great advertisement for Italian football,” continued Sacchi.

Sacchi ‘even more angry’ with Leao despite Milan’s Supercoppa win

FERRARA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 23: Arrigo Sacchi former coach of Italian National team attends the Serie A match between Spal and SSC Napoli at Stadio Paolo Mazza on September 23, 2017 in Ferrara, Italy. (Photo by Mario Carlini / Iguana Press/Getty Images)
FERRARA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Arrigo Sacchi former coach of Italian National team attends the Serie A match between Spal and SSC Napoli at Stadio Paolo Mazza on September 23, 2017 in Ferrara, Italy. (Photo by Mario Carlini / Iguana Press/Getty Images)

“The second thing is that Milan are alive, and they proved it against Inter and Juventus. Third thing: Conceiçao is a great coach. Fourth thing: with their quality, Inter should be able to handle the game better when they lead 2-0.”

The 78-year-old had no doubts about the turning point in Riyadh.

“[It was] Leao’s introduction,” he admitted.

“The Portuguese did excellent things and changed the game. Honestly, seeing him like this makes me even more angry. He has incredible physical and technical qualities, but he’s not always able to fulfil his potential. I wish him to have the consistency he necessarily needs to reach the highest levels.

“Perhaps the temperament doesn’t help him, but he has exceptional qualities; nobody can stop him when he runs with the ball at his feet.”

Leao has scored six goals and provided seven assists in 23 appearances across all competitions this season.

The Portuguese star praised new Milan coach Sergio Conceiçao upon returning to Italy with the Supercoppa trophy on Tuesday morning.

Milan’s next game is against Cagliari at San Siro on January 11.

 

6 thought on “Sacchi ‘even more angry’ with Leao despite Milan’s Supercoppa win”
  1. When they say ‘intensity of a premier league game’, they mean the game was gung ho, and full of individual errors.

  2. It makes me angry that we are comparing Italian soccer to the premier League. Who says their brand of soccer is better? When I watch it, it looks sloppy with no defense and open wide spaces for players to sprint. Italian calcio for me has always had a superior tactical advantage.

  3. @Daniele.
    Spot. Structure, solidity and quality defending has become a dying art in the prem. But these are people who want to see football primarily as entertainment instead of a sport. They want smash bang wallop footy, and 10 goals in every game.

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