Rafael Leao, the AC Milan star who should start this Sunday against Inter in the derby, has spoken to the microphones of CBS Sports Golazo.
Here are his statements:
"We have all the players already set for the game. We want to prepare well, because we know it is the Derby and also Inter, this year, is a great group, a good team. I think it's a good opportunity for us also to achieve the top of the league and you already feel in the week when the derby game is coming."
Rafael Leao on playing under head coach Massimiliano Allegri after difficulties of last season:
"Many new players have come this season. Last season was difficult because there was a lot of change. I think the club did a great job they brought a good director, he works very well, they kept Ibra, brought Allegri, they brought Modric, and I think this was really important for us and for the young players. There are many young players. Those experienced ones help and I think we do very well. We want to achieve good things, but of course it's a step by step (process) and Sunday is a good opportunity show what we can do."
What is Massimiliano Allegri's coaching style?
"He doesn't ask me too many things, he just says be free and be focused. He knows what I can do with the ball and that I can help the team without the ball too. He is more like a father who asks his son to do better at school and in life, to do things the right way. I feel happy and I have a lot of confidence in each match because I know he trusts me. He just asks me to be focused even after scoring, to not stop..."
On moving from the flanks to playing in a more central role, Leao said:
"To be honest I like one against one, dribbling one, two, three defenders, but we know football changed, numbers matter. I do not love them, I grew up watching Robinho, Ronaldinho, Quaresma, Cristiano, players who gave me emotion watching what they did. Today the key is to score, so in my current position I stay close to the players who make the difference, and you make the difference by scoring not only with dribbles. Allegri changed my mentality and pushed me closer to scoring positions, sometimes as a winger you are too far and if you want to be the decisive man you must make the difference."
On Christian Pulisic:
"I think he changed. When I watched him at Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund he was a winger who loved dribbling, one against one, moving from side to side with many skills. Christian understood what I said before about football evolution and numbers. He has strong qualities, he is intelligent, and in the position where he plays now as a number 10 he knows how to move. When I play with him I try to help him and create space for him. He is important for us and we can make the difference at any moment, he can also play right or left so the coach has more options."
Leao on the songs players sing when they arrive at the club:
"I arrived at Milan when I was 19 or 20, I could not say no, so I sang for one minute and left immediately."
On becoming a father:
"It taught me to stay more focused and enjoy every moment. They give me strength, when negative moments come I think of them and I try to understand how to do better"
