The solidity of the Croatian and the flair of the Portuguese are two valid options for coach Stefano Pioli on the left side of the attack.
The Rossoneri coach Stefano Pioli has a dillemma to deal with: who to choose? Rafael Leao or Ante Rebic, as both have different features and qualities but they are still effective in their own ways. They are so different in terms of play style and character. But unfortunately, only one of them can play when Ibrahimovic occupies the centre-forward position on the pitch.
La Gazzetta dello Sport starts off with Ante Rebic who closed the previous season with great performances. The former Eintracht man is concrete and reliable. He does not steal the eye with high-level numbers or sole plays, but carries out his task with tactical discipline and seriousness.
He is one of Pioli's "loyal soliders". The left flank is the play yard of Rebic especially when Ibrahimovic is starting as the Swede opens space for Ante who in turn attacks the space created and the depth. He missed a few games due to injury and three for coronavirus. But, On 12 occasions he started from the beginning. He dribbled less than Leao (8 successful one-on-ones against 25), but both played as vice-Ibra.
The newspaper calls the Croatian as "cold". "Put pressure on him and he will even deliver better results than his usual."
As for "Speedy Leao" as La Gazzetta nicknamed him in their article, he is so unpredictable. In Reggio Emilia, against Sassuolo, he scored the fastest Serie A goal in just 6 seconds. Every now and then, in training, Pioli urged him to do more. Leao understood that and went stronger.
Leao is an inspiration, a pinch of magic. Even Ibrahimovic spoke well of his talent: "He has a better physique than mine, but he must understand that there is no patience here." In other words, Zlatan's words were the following: devote yourself harder and you will succeed. After the injury in November, he played 8 out of 9 games as a starter, only skipping Cagliari due suspension: 3 goals and an assist.
Now that Zlatan is back he has resumed his place on the left wing, where, by the way, he had already shown good things (the 2 assists against Roma). Pioli invited him to have to "play with a smile and come down from the clouds". Because, Leao is also a bit like that, a quality 21-year-old who needs a boost.
Rafael Leao and Ante Rebic are equal almost equal for key passes (15 to 14) and total shots (22-18), but the Croatian beats the Portuguese for intercepted balls (27-15). Pioli looks at these two talents and reflects in view of the game against Crotone.
