It would be wrong to get carried away or be overly optimistic (or pessimistic) about summer friendlies, especially ones featuring many young players from Milan Futuro and the Primavera, but the first signs that something might be changing have become clear and unmistakable. Yes, something is evolving in the mind and game of Rafa Leão, who has never before looked this focused, strong, fierce, and attentive in these early summer outings.
His role? A false nine, ready to attack the space in behind and strike effectively in front of goal (as against Liverpool and Perth). This is Leão, who isn’t naturally a center-forward, though at the start of his career with Sporting he did play that way, without fixed reference points, alone against the opponent’s penalty area. And so, here lies the focus on what Rafa could become under Allegri: whether it’s a 3-5-2 or a 4-3-3 doesn’t matter much, it won’t be so much about the position as it will be about the mindset and mentality he will need to adopt, starting this Sunday against Bari.
Leao's season: Will Allegri be the turning point?
Rafa Leão’s season could (perhaps) truly be the one where he makes the definitive leap in quality, for himself and for his teammates. After the less-than-happy spells under Fonseca first, and then Conceição, the new Rossoneri coach, Massimiliano Allegri, may have provided the right energy and empathy for the Portuguese talent. In fact, from the very first conversations between the coach and Milan’s number ten, there’s been a glimpse of the right trust between the two, a relationship that, until now, only Pioli had managed to ignite, leading Leão to shine (and win) in the Milan shirt. Now, Rafa will begin pursuing his first objectives, starting with Sunday night’s Coppa Italia clash against Bari, the first official fixture of the season, as relayed via Milannews.it.
The official numbers: few goals as a center-forward
Meanwhile, as reported by Transfermarkt, Leão has so far scored 70 official goals (only 8 in 41 appearances as a true number nine) and provided 62 assists in a Milan shirt. One target? 100 goals. Rafa can do it, a new step toward securing an even greater place in the history of the Diavolo.
