La Gazzetta dello Sport highlighted Rafael Leao's performance last night and noted how his performance overall in Europe has improved compared to last season. Even in the UEFA Champions League competition, aside from the first leg against Newcastle, he was consistently the most dangerous and creative player for Milan: in Dortmund and at home against PSG.
Who knows how it would have gone if he had been present and not injured in the match against Borussia Dortmund at San Siro. That is all in the past now, however. The Rossoneri now focus on the present as there is no need to dwell on the past.
In fact, what emerges from Milan's first three Europa League matches this season is that Leao has scored two goals and provided two assists. He scored in both legs against Rennes and was decisive yesterday with two assists, one for Giroud and one for Pulisic, the latter being a wonderful pass that perhaps deserved a goal itself, "stolen" by the American with the tip of his toe. In short, the international stage seems to suit Rafa well, who knows how to shine.
Leao continues to be decisive for the Rossoneri
What's even more striking about yesterday's game is that, in a match where Milan struggled to find spaces and where the Portuguese himself was little served and sought after by his teammates, the Rossoneri's number 10 still managed to be decisive with the little he had at his disposal.
There were three occasions where he could play with some danger: with the first, he set up Giroud's header, with the second, he narrowly missed the post, and with the last, he created chaos in Slavia's defensive line, ultimately setting up Pulisic's winning goal.
That was also the moment when Leao came alive: the first time to break the deadlock in a game that was becoming increasingly tight, and the second to push back Slavia, who had regained confidence with the 3-2 goal.
Leao delivered thanks to his qualities when he was needed the most last night. The former Lille player wants to win silverware this season, and he is pushing with his teammates to try to lift the UEFA Europa League season.
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