In Milan's away game against Monza in the last league matchday, Rafael Leao was once again excluded from the starting lineup. This marks the third consecutive Serie A match in which the Portuguese player has started as a substitute, following Milan - Napoli and Milan-Udinese.
In Fonseca’s 4-2-3-1 formation, he opted for Chukwueze on the right flank, with Pulisic in the middle and Okafor on the opposite side. Leao came on in the 63rd minute, replacing Okafor, and played just under half an hour.
Paulo Fonseca's words on Rafael Leao
This marks Leao’s third league game in a row on the bench, with the Bruges match in the Champions League in between (where he started but was subbed off for Chukwueze with 30 minutes left) and the Bologna game postponed. Before the Monza game, the Rossoneri coach explained the exclusion on Sky Sport:
"I have to think not only about this match; we have an important game with Real Madrid in a few days. I have to manage the squad, and that’s what I did today. I don’t want to go into details; today I think this is the right lineup to start against Monza, also considering the game with Real Madrid."
After the match, Fonseca also said Rafael Leao:
"For me, Leao is like Loftus-Cheek and Musah; status doesn’t go out onto the pitch."
"There is no 'Leao case’," Fonseca continued. "When he’s on the bench, like Musah, Loftus-Cheek, and others, it should be considered normal. He came in well, and that’s the most important thing. When he joins the game, I want this kind of reaction; it’s important that he has this impact. Is he ready for Madrid? I think so.”
Rafael Leao's numbers with Milan this season:
Since the start of the season, Leao has made 9 league appearances, the first 6 of which were as a starter. He has scored just one goal, at the end of August against Lazio, which was crucial for the final 2-2 result, and has provided three assists for his teammates. In the Champions League, where he has started all three games, he has yet to score or assist.
