Yahoo Sports GdS: Position, goals, leadership – how Fonseca plans to get the best out of Leao
Paulo Fonseca wants Rafael Leao to be the leader of his new AC Milan, but that requires him to become more clinical and to play closer to the goal.
As this morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) writes, the last image posted on Leao’s social media is a shot of Adriano and Ronaldo, then team-mates in the Brazilian national team, two scorers that the new Rafa looks up to more than ever.
The two who knew how to combine class and ruthlessness, a mix that still escapes Leao too often. He knows how to be elegant and fly towards the goal, but he sometimes lacks that clinical edge needed to always get his name on the scoreboard.
Against Torino, on the first night of the season, he showed himself to be the most dynamic forward of the four named, and yet he made a couple of big chances to make Fonseca’s debut a more straightforward one.
A special talent
Leao has shown that he can be talented and effective, he just needs to learn to be involved in the game for the whole time he is on the field and not just in spells.
The numbers from his Rossoneri career speak for themselves: six goals in the first two seasons in Serie A, 11 in the year of the Scudetto – when he was elected Serie A MVP – then 15 in the following campaign and nine in the one just concluded, the most controversial of his experience in Milan so far.
In the year in which everyone expected the jump to potentially 20 goals or more, Leao was inconsistent and distracted, sometimes even booed off the field. However, there must be something special in Rafa if, after Stefano Pioli, Fonseca will also rely on him.
The coach is certainly not the only one: Leao is well liked by his team-mates and their respect extends beyond Milanello. The latest sign of how highly valued he is comes from Barcelona’s interest, with the rumours immediately silenced by AC Milan CEO Furlani.
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The quest to become a ‘bomber’
Fonseca wants the No.10 to be more attacking, to get into the area more, and to be more involved in the game. He could therefore become even freer from defensive retreats, which are. not exactly Rafa’s passion.
Strahinja Pavlovic’s insertion at the back (ready to make his debut as a starter against Parma) and Youssouf Fofana’s coverage in the middle (he will probably start from the bench) should be sufficient to guarantee greater defensive stability.
Fonseca wants Leao to become a more prolific scorer, with double digits in league goals being the minimum ask. The feeling between the two is already good based on what they say at Milanello, and it goes beyond the understanding between compatriots.
Leao is happy to be at the centre of the team. He appreciates the new style of play, possession and dominance, and wants to engage in the tasks designed for him. Not only that, the winger enjoys being a leader in the dressing room too.
He likes to welcome the younger players into the group, but he also knows how to be available to the more experienced players. In short, Leao is at the heart of Milan, and it is a love he reciprocates.
