AC Milan forward Rafael Leao has expressed his satisfaction with his role in the Portuguese national team, highlighting the support and trust he receives from his teammates and coach Roberto Martinez. The 24-year-old winger, who has been struggling to find his best form with Milan this season, seems to have rediscovered his spark while on international duty.
Calciomercato detail how Leao played a crucial part in Portugal’s recent Nations League victory against Poland, contributing to Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal and creating several dangerous situations. He also made a positive impact as a substitute in the subsequent match against Scotland, showcasing his trademark dribbling skills and creating a chance for Bruno Fernandes.
The player’s comments after the Scotland game reveal a sense of freedom and confidence that has been somewhat lacking in his performances for Milan. Leao emphasized that he feels the support of everyone in the national team setup and that the coach has great faith in his abilities.
Martinez’s tactical approach appears to suit Leao’s strengths, with the coach asking him to focus on making deep runs, engaging in one-on-one situations, and creating opportunities – essentially, to play his natural game. This contrasts with his current role at Milan, where new coach Paulo Fonseca has implemented a more defensively demanding 4-4-2 formation.
While Leao has shown willingness to adapt to Fonseca’s system, contributing more defensively, it has seemingly come at the cost of his offensive output. The forward has managed only one goal and four assists in Serie A and Champions League matches combined this season, a tally that doesn’t fully reflect his potential.
Leao’s comments about his national team experience could be interpreted as a subtle message to Fonseca, suggesting that a tactical approach that allows him more attacking freedom might yield better results. It’s reminiscent of former Milan coach Stefano Pioli’s strategy, which involved giving Leao more license to focus on his offensive strengths.
