Last Saturday his striker’s touch gave Milan three league points against Lazio, yesterday evening Rafael Leao wasted the biggest chance for the team. After a great move, the number 10 fired over the bar from a strong position. Minutes later Mattia Zaccagni scored with a header and sent Maurizio Sarri’s side to the quarterfinals. Football swings and so does Leao, although the defeat does not fall on him alone. Several teammates looked flat.
La Gazzetta dello Sport focused on Leao in today’s headline:
"Half-Milan, Lazio take revenge. Zaccagni strikes, Leao misses and costs Max."
The subheading reads, "Milan struggle in the first half and dominate the second half but it is not enough, defeat after 13 positive results in a row. Sarri responds after the loss at San Siro and meets Bologna in the quarterfinals." The paper also offered a tactical explanation for Milan’s setback, "Modric’s rest weighed on the team, he is the only one who brings quality to a slow and predictable build-up."
