For the entire international break, and thus for the last two weeks, all anyone talked about was Theo and Leao. The two most representative Milan players found themselves in the eye of the storm, first for shockingly failing in the season’s first two matches, then for skipping the cooling break during the Roma match. There was a lot of pressure on the left side of the Rossoneri, but the Frenchman and the Portuguese used it as a decisive push, leading Milan to victory, as relayed via Milannews.it.
Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao's redemptions
The word Tuttosport used this morning may be a bit strong, but it captures the moment: Theo and Leao have redeemed themselves after a turbulent start to the season during which they were heavily criticized. Right from the start, it was the two left-sided players who launched Milan toward their 4-0 win over Venezia: Hernandez recovered the ball in the opponent’s third, and Leao set him up with a backheel pass. From there, Theo just had to aim between Joronen’s legs, and the rest followed. Overall, it was a very positive performance, especially from the Portuguese, who was only missing a goal last night. Hopefully, that missed opportunity and his desire to stay on the pitch even when substituted will fuel his motivation for the upcoming matches.
It’s great to have Theo and Leao back, but Milan fans, who have been more disappointed than usual by this underwhelming start to the season, are still a bit reluctant to fully forgive their two star players—and the entire team. Now, Milan faces a series of high-level challenges: the Champions League opener against Liverpool and the derby against Inter. In these moments, when the stakes are highest, it will be essential to see the Theo and Leao from last night—or an even better version if possible. Only by making an impact in key matches, the ones that matter most, can Milan’s top players prove they are truly leaders. And with them, the whole team must rise to the occasion, showing that the win over Venezia was no fluke.
