Yahoo Sports CM: ‘Now or never’ – why Theo Hernandez and Leao need big performances vs. Inter
AC Milan will take on Inter in the first derby of the season tomorrow night, and there seems to be a lot more on the line than just three points.
According to Calciomercato.com, the team have trained with good intensity in recent days. They are focused and eager to bounce back from a negative moment and the streak of six consecutive victories obtained by their city rivals.
It is no longer the time for excuses: Mike Maignan and his team-mates must throw heart and soul into the mix to bring the fans back on their side, but above all a lot will be asked of Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao.
Leao is once again the target of criticism after his lacklustre performance against Liverpool and the fact he walked straight off rather than facing the fans with the rest of his team. If by character and nature he will never be able to become a charismatic leader, then everyone’s hope is that he can become one from a technical point of view.
How does he achieve that? With consistency and quality especially in matches where the stakes are higher. Against Inter he so far has only three goals and two assists in 15 matches with 10 defeats, three victories and two draws. These are numbers that cry out for vengeance.
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Theo Hernandez and Leao are going through a similar moment because both have not yet found themselves particularly in tune with Paulo Fonseca and have started the season with their minds still on the summer window.
For the former, the time has come to show where he is the best left-back in the world or just one of them. In derbies he has often gone missing and has let the emotion override things, suffering especially in those played last season.
Regardless of what considerations there will be for the future to be faced further down the line, Hernández must set an example for a group that tends to get too excited in victories and disappear in difficulties. It is ‘now or never’ for both players.
