Category: Ac Milan FC

 

The decision to remove Rafael Leao at half-time in the defeat to Torino continues to provoke debate, and it could have ramifications on the future.

 

As Calciomercato.com reports, the over-arching headline is that Milan dropped three more crucial points due to a mistake from Mike Maignan and some defensive inattention in the crucial moments, leaving them eight points from fourth place.

 

However, the Leao case is also a talking point. At half-time, with his side one goal down and having failed to convert a penalty, Conceicao decided to take the Portuguese winger off and to bring Youssouf Fofana on in what was quite a surprise substitution.

 

Leao’s numbers suggest he wasn’t very involved: only 11 completed passes, 11 balls lost and the misery of five duels won with just one completed dribble. This is not the best for someone who has the responsibility of carrying the attack, yet his header drew the penalty Christian Pulisic missed.

 

Leao did not return to the bench for the second half as he usually does and this is something that perhaps makes it a bigger issue, even if the head coach tried to play things down after the game in his post-match interview.

 

“Technical choice or for a physical problem? A bit of both. I saw that Rafa was not at his best, there are other players too. Everyone is important for Milan, in my opinion we should not go into substitutions and the formation when you concede such ridiculous goals.”

 

 

Leao remains the true game-breaking player in Milan’s attack with his pace and his knack for creating something out of nothing, while Joao Felix seemed more off the pace and in need of a breather, then Pulisic is known to be playing through an ankle issue.

 

What we can take from it all is that Conceicao’s firm stance with Leao is uncompromising. He benched him for the games against Empoli and Hellas Verona in the league plus in the Coppa Italia against Roma, then he got 45 minutes on Saturday.

 

The relationship between Conceicao and Leao must be monitored. Things certainly started well, and with a Champions League spot to pursue the hope is that things will blossom again in spring. Otherwise, the calls from Barcelona and/or Saudi Arabia might be a bit more tempting.

 

 

One of the hallmarks of Paulo Fonseca and now Sergio Conceiçao’s Milan sides is that they were betrayed by at least one of their stars. Whether it was Maignan letting an easy goal in, Theo’s madness or Leao’s constant apathy.

 

The last time the three lived up to their talent together? We need to go back to January 6th. Hernandez started the comeback against Inter with a great free kick, Maignan blocked Dumfries shot at 2-2, then Rafa set up Tammy Abraham for the winner. Result? A trophy.

 

 

There are two roads. The first: find a way to get Maignan, Theo and Leao consistently back to the level of the title-winning season. It is easier said than done, at least seeing the failed attempts of Fonseca and Conceiçao so far.

 

The two Portuguese coaches reserved Pioli’s direction by being quite tough with the two outfield players in particular, yet it does not seem to have boosted consistency. It must also be noted that even towards then end of Pioli’s tenure Theo and Leao were faltering a bit too.

 

la gazzetta dello sport february 24

The second path is to sell the stars. It will be a painful decision given what they have brought and the level everyone knows they are capable of, but there are economic factors too. Maignan and Hernandez, for example, have contracts expiring in 2026.

 

For the goalkeeper, an extension agreement was found some time ago (€5m net per year until 2029, with the option for a further season together), but it is still not a guarantee that he will remain at Milan 100%.

 

For Theo, the negotiation for the renewal has instead stalled due to the horror performances of the Frenchman and it is unlikely that he will restart. Leao has a long contract (expires in 2028) and a €175m clause that is unlikely to be paid by anyone, but the club could accept less.

 

 

Christian Pulisic of AC Milan gestures during the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 29, 2024 in Milan, Italy.

 

Christian Pulisic has issued an apology on social media after what he described as a ‘really tough week’ for the Rossoneri, which included a Champions League exit and a missed penalty from the USMNT star in the 2-1 loss against Torino.

 

Milan were eliminated from the Champions League at the end of play-off round after falling to a 2-1 aggregate loss against a depleted Feyenoord side, who had several first team players out injured and an interim coach in the dugout.

 

The team were looking to bounce back from their European disappointment with a statement over Torino in Serie A, but fell to a 2-1 loss after a comical Malick Thiaw own goal and a second-half winner from Gvidas Gineitis.

 

While the scores were at 1-0 in favour of Torino, Pulisic missed the chance to equalise from the penalty spot. It was the first spot-kick that the American has missed in his career to date.

 

 

Vanja Milinkovic-Savic Christian Pulisic Torino Milan penalty

Pulisic apologises after ‘really tough week’ for Milan

“Really tough week,” Pulisic wrote in an Instagram story on Sunday.

 

“Hate letting down this amazing fan base, Will give everything to finish this season on a positive note,” he concluded.

 

Pulisic is currently Milan’s joint-top goalscorers across all competitions this season, alongside Tij

jani Reijnders on 12.

 

 

AC Milan failed to close in on some of their top-four rivals yesterday as Torino prevailed 2-1 at Stadio Olimpico. Despite the missed opportunity, however, the club legend Billy Costacurta is surprisingly optimistic.

 

Costacurta is known for saying what he thinks and in most cases, that has resulted in harsh words for Milan this season. It’s not like you can blame him either, given that the Rossoneri’s season has been a proper roller coaster from start to finish.

 

After yesterday’s game, however, the former Milan man was surprisingly optimistic when asked about Milan’s chances in the top-four race (via Radio Rossonera). Above all, this is because he believes the team has grown since Sergio Conceicao took over.

 

“I see improvements in terms of the game, then I also see things which confirm that confusion is still there. Individual errors are becoming the norm. Then again, I believe that the team is growing, so I think that they will fight until the end to get into the top 4. I see something good,” he stated.

 

Next week will be decisive for the Rossoneri as they will take on Bologna and Lazio, two direct clashes as far as the standings are concerned. Only time will tell if they can grab the last lifeline, because without two wins everything will be very difficult.

 

Chelsea are likely to be in the market for a new winger at the end of this season, with them being long-term admirers of one name in particular.

 

The Blues have been keen on signing Rafael Leao for a number of seasons now, with him being mentioned as a key target for the new owners despite interest already existing.

 

The current wingers at Stamford Bridge have not been setting the world alight. Jadon Sancho, Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke have all come in for criticism this season.

 

Chelsea chiefs are not impressed by Sancho in particular, and it has been claimed they are still looking to sign a new left-winger despite the England international joining permanently this summer.

 

 

AC Milan open to selling Rafael Leao amid Chelsea transfer interest

Club captain Reece James is a notable fan of the Portugal international. James mentioned Leao as one of his toughest opponents after lining up against him in the Champions League.

 

Despite admiration, Chelsea didn’t want to pay Leao’s release clause back in 2022, however Milan’s stance on a deal seems to have softened.

 

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Serie A side are not convinced Leao has actually improved in the past few years.

 

The report goes on to say that they could be willing to accept a fee as low as £66m for the winger, less than half his release clause.

 

 

Graham Potter wanted to sign Leao when he was in charge of the club, and even though names such as Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens have been mentioned as targets recently the desire to sign the 25-year-old has remained.

 

 

Joao Felix holds the key to Rafael Leao deal

Chelsea have held a strong working relationship with Milan, who have a number of former Blues on their books.

 

Their most recent addition from Stamford Bridge was Joao Felix, who joined on loan in January. Milan are keen on permanently signing Felix at the end of this season.

 

It has been mentioned that the Serie A side may struggle to meet the financial demands Chelsea will have for the Portuguese star to leave permanently.

 

Milan could offer a swap Chelsea, and with Leao’s admiration at Stamford Bridge and his current club’s lack of faith in him could present a perfect opportunity for the Blues to bring in a long-term target at last.

 

AC Milan know that they need to win tonight against Feyenoord to have a chance of progressing to the last 16 of the Champions League, meaning the pressure is on.

 

The Rossoneri were simply not at the races in Rotterdam and failed to break down their resilient hosts. The only goal of the game came in the opening three minutes through Igor Paixao and it means that Milan will need to come from behind to progress for the first time since 2007.

 

 

There are a number of absences to deal with as Alessandro Florenzi, Emerson Royal and Ruben Loftus-Cheek remain injured, while Luka Jovic, Alex Jimenez, Warren Bondo and Riccardo Sottil are not in the UEFA squad list.

 

Today’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport predicts a 4-2-3-1 system from Sergio Conceicao with a back four of Kyle Walker, Fikayo Tomori, Strahinja Pavlovic and Theo Hernandez in front of Mike Maignan.

 

Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders are down as the double pivot, with Joao Felix operating ahead of them in the attacking midfielder role.

 

Yunus Musah is down as the right winger and Rafael Leao on the opposite flank supporting the striker Santiago Gimenez. It could well be a slightly different system in and out of possession, though.

 

Predicted Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Walker, Tomori, Pavlovic, Theo Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Musah, Joao Felix, Leao; Gimenez.

 

Predicted Feyenoord XI (4-3-3): Wellenreuther; Read, Beelen, Hancko, Smal; Moder, Milambo, Bueno; Moussa, Carranza, Paixao.