At the end of the Milan - Cagliari match, which ended 1-1, Rafael Leao spoke to the microphones of Sky Sport 24. Here are his statements:
How did you process this draw? What did the coach say?
"We wanted to win to climb back up the standings. The first half was a bit strange; we didn’t create many clear chances. In the second half, we were a bit better, but then they scored on the counterattack after one of our mistakes. In my opinion, we deserved a different result in the end."
What kind of season is this? Is it a bit strange?
"We need to focus on ourselves and keep working. In a few days, there’s another very important match, and we want to go there to win."
What has Sérgio Conceição brought to the team?
"A mentality, the desire to always be in the opponent’s half, to never give up. That’s what we’re trying to do in every match. He hasn’t been here long, but he’s already introduced his ideas."
Does Tijjani Reijnders’ position in the first half take away space from you?
"Well, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Sometimes Theo was wide and Tijji was inside, but if we stayed static, it was easier for Cagliari. In the second half, we changed things, and it went a bit better."
Today you played more centrally, as a playmaker. Is that an idea for the future? Rafael Leao commented:
"The coach gives me freedom. Then, it’s about what I feel on the pitch. If I see Fofana in the middle, I cut inside; otherwise, I stay wide. I need to figure out where to go and where not to. He gives me freedom. If I can be more central, even better because I’m closer to goal."
So, do you like playing centrally?
"I have no problem; I play wherever the coach puts me, and I just want to help the team win."
