Rafael Leão was undoubtedly the most anticipated man in this summit meeting between AC Milan and Fiorentina. Long away from the field after a month and a half of absence since the Coppa Italia against Bari, the Portuguese winger had to prove that he had regained his form and, above all, his desire. His recent appearances, notably against Naples and Juventus, had revealed a certain disinterest, a lack of edge in the game and even a worrying weariness. But this Sunday evening at San Siro, Leão's response was resounding. Facing his former mentor, the former Sporting nugget scored a decisive double, finding the net at home after 512 days of drought in Serie A. Two goals which not only gave Milan victory, but which also put the Rossoneri back at the top of the standings, reminding everyone that Leão remains, despite the criticism, a player capable of changing the destiny of a match single-handedly. His two achievements alone tell the story of the player's transformation.
The first goal bears his signature with this acceleration, followed by a quick dribble and a sharp strike from the right against a helpless De Gea. Pure Leão, instinctive and inspired. But it is above all the second goal, scored from the penalty spot, which says a lot about his state of mind. Because this time, the 26-year-old Portuguese took responsibility: “We knew it would be a difficult match. Fiorentina have quality players and the coach told us not to give them space. That's what we did, even though we didn't have many shots on target in the first half, but then we broke the deadlock. It’s a collective victory. I spent almost a month and a half injured. I dedicate this match to my family and my teammates. We can accomplish many important things this season», explained the winger who passed through LOSC. After the hesitations of previous weeks and the doubts linked to his offensive leadership, he chose to shoot, calmly, taking the Viola goalkeeper on the wrong foot. This gesture, seemingly simple, nevertheless symbolizes the rebirth of a player aware of his role and ready to assume it. Far from the sometimes nonchalant or selfish Leão, Milan fans saw an involved striker, determined to be the engine of a Milan battered by injuries, but still ambitious.
The long-awaited return of the Portuguese
If this renaissance took shape in the second half, it was largely thanks to a tactical adjustment by Massimiliano Allegri. During the first half, Leão seemed borrowed, locked into a pure center forward role which did not correspond to his natural qualities. Few calls, a lot of ball losses, and a Milan that was too predictable offensively. But after Fiorentina opened the score, the Rossonero coach revised his copy by replacing Leão in a freer position, close to a second attacker, supported by Gimenez and fed by Saelemaekers on the right flank: “With Gimenez by his side, he was freer in his movements, but he has to get used to it. Tonight, Fofana filled the area, and it's important to do so even with outside players. There was no confusion. I chose Rafa because he shoots very well in training, but Fofana is also very good. I never watch penalties: in Turin, it went badly, tonight it was better“, affirmed the Italian coach. This repositioning changed everything. Back in his comfort zone, free to break away, attack space and provoke, the Portuguese caught fire. He turned the match around, regained confidence, and took the whole team with him. Lucid, Allegri has undoubtedly found the key to a more fluid offensive balance, centered around his most unpredictable player.
Beyond the individual performance, this victory symbolizes the strength of character of a decimated but combative Milan. With a full infirmary, marked by the absences of Pulisic, Rabiot, Nkunku, Estupiñán and Loftus-Cheek, Allegri only had five outfield players on the bench, including two from Milan Futuro. And yet, the Rossoneri were able to draw on their resources to overthrow a compact but sterile Fiorentina. Gosens' goal, born from a rare error between Maignan and Gabbia, could have brought down a weakened team. On the contrary, he awakened the soul of a team which sorely needed to continue after the international break. Leão first equalized with a surgical strike before liberating an entire stadium from the penalty spot, breaking a 17-month curse. In the gray of the absent, the native of Almada brought back the light. And if Milan seems bandaged from head to toe, it is indeed their number 10 who, like a phoenix, has just been reborn at the moment when his team needed him the most.
