The Rossoneri veterans have dyed hair or braids: talent goes hand in hand with flair, and flair shows itself in both play and appearance. That’s how Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao are back to overtaking on the left flank: or rather, Theo maintains a standard pace—not exceptional, but still better than when he was moving sluggishly, while Rafa takes off like a rocket.
Last week, the former Lille winger was sitting on the bench at Marassi, and once he came on, he scored the equalizer and was decisive in the second goal. He has thus become one of three players with at least eight goals and just as many assists in the league, alongside his teammate Pulisic (who has scored ten goals) and the Napoli striker Lukaku. Something must have clicked recently: Rafa himself has been involved in 5 goals (3 scored, 2 assisted) in his last six away appearances in Serie A.
By the way, for Milan fans in the UK, catching every moment of Milan’s performances is a must, and many are turning to UK mobile bookies to stay engaged with the action through top betting apps tailored specifically for mobile users. Such platforms allow supporters to easily follow their favorite Rossoneri stars like Leao and Hernandez and it also provides insights to safely place bets on match outcomes or individual player performances right from their phones. This integration is really an interesting one because it helps to keep track of Sergio Conceicao’s progress with his team. In fact, the fans can use these platforms to gain some interesting bonuses while taking advantage, for example, of the club’s recent form, who since having switched to a 3-4-3 formation, won 4 of their last 5 fixtures, (including a convincing 0-3 victory against bitter rivals Inter). The record in these last matches? 11 goals scored and only 2 goals conceded. Impressive statistics to say the least.
The curious part, however, is that Rafael Leao’s flashes of brilliance and goals mostly happen away from San Siro, which is still a comforting stat for Milan: the Portuguese was suspended for the last match against Bologna, the third-to-last in Serie A, but he will be present at the Olimpico in Rome five days later for the Coppa Italia final. As a starter, and well-rested, as pointed out by those at Gazzetta.
As for the former Real Madrid man, Theo Hernandez, still wants to be the one to launch him down the wing. Theo is the third Rossonero in terms of minutes played: meaning that despite everything, mistakes and distractions, he has remained irreplaceable. And the choice is paying off for Conceição: Theo is more focused, more responsible, more aggressive. Even at Genoa's ground, he initiated one of his personal runs, which ended without luck: what matters is the intent—more chances will come for precision. The new formation has revived him: fewer defensive duties, with opponents running into Pavlovic behind him, and more freedom of action. The three-man defense allows him to position himself a few meters further forward and see more clearly what’s happening in the box. But it doesn't seem to be just a tactical matter: the system has brought solidity back to the team in every aspect. More balanced, less exposed to danger, and more attack-oriented—but also more united, as shown by the player huddle called by the coach after the victory in Genoa. The results have helped restore enthusiasm and complicity.
Mike Maignan is once again "Magic"...
As can also be seen from the social media exchanges between the players: with an Instagram story, Pulisic wanted to thank Maignan—“Thanks for saving me”—with the video of the Marassi moment when Captain America deflected the ball toward his own goal and showcased Maignan’s reflexes. The best save of the night. Not the only one: there were also decisive interventions on Norton-Cuffy and on former teammate Messias. Other links in a chain of saves that is getting longer and more decisive for the team’s fate. Along with Rafa and Theo—Rossoneri since 2019—Maignan is the third veteran. He arrived two summers later, just in time to win the league with Lille and immediately afterward with Milan, and is less flashy in appearance than the other two. He still stands out: in goal, and beyond. He keeps moving up to midfield to organize positioning on offensive set-pieces or to arrange teammates for defensive ones. In short, much more than just a goalkeeper.
Milan’s old version has shown up at the right moment—just days away from a final that could deliver the second trophy of the season.
The old “devil” wants to be part of the new era as well: Theo and Maignan are playing for confirmation in the Rossoneri jersey and for a signature that would mean a contract renewal. Rafael Leao is looking for a different kind of signature—on a historic goal: he won the Scudetto, letting the afternoon in Reggio Emilia against Sassuolo be signed by Giroud and Kessie. And in the Supercoppa final, he set up Abraham for the goal. Now he seeks a goal of his own, an engraving to write "Milan" on the Cup.
