Paulo Fonseca has set out to transform Rafael Leão into a “different” player, following the recent Trofeo Berlusconi. The Portuguese manager expressed his satisfaction with Leão’s willingness to contribute defensively for the team. While he remained non-committal about whether Leão will be better or worse than the version fans are used to, Fonseca has a clear vision: if Leão can grasp the tactical nuances and the movements asked of him, he will get closer to the goal and become more impactful in front of the net.
Leão, who joined AC Milan and has scored 58 goals in 210 appearances, has shown flashes of brilliance but has also struggled to find consistency. The two had crossed paths previously when Fonseca was managing Roma and Leão was playing for Milan, but their relationship deepened before the European Championship when Fonseca visited Leão during Portugal’s national team training camp. It was there that Fonseca began to outline his plan for Leão’s game.
The tactical work truly kicked off during the team’s pre-season tour in the United States, with Fonseca personally guiding Leão through training sessions. The transformation process has begun, but it will take time for Leão to adjust his playing habits. During the first half of the Trofeo Berlusconi, Fonseca had Leão positioned right in front of his bench, directing him as he often does with his players. Rather than using Italian, Fonseca communicated in Portuguese to directly connect with his star player.
While Leão didn’t score in the match, he did attempt to cut inside more frequently to take shots, adhering to Fonseca’s instructions. Although he was often cut off when trying to penetrate the center of the area, his efforts showed he is following the game plan. Fonseca is keen for Leão to get closer to the opponent’s goal, even stepping into a striker role at times, to take advantage of Álvaro Morata’s tendency to drift to the left and create space.
Leão’s speed is crucial, as he needs to push forward and improve his finishing ability when he finds himself in front of the goalkeeper. With Olivier Giroud, a more traditional center-forward, Leão had fewer opportunities to thrive. Now, with Morata’s tactical awareness, there will be more openings for Leão to exploit.
Defensively, Fonseca is stressing the importance of Leão’s involvement in regaining possession in advanced positions. The manager also emphasizes that Leão must work to cover the left wing, especially since he has Theo Hernandez, who excels in attack but is less reliable defensively, behind him. Fonseca believes Leão is ready to take his game to the next level, and the prospect of impending fatherhood might provide him with the mental boost needed for that breakthrough.
The San Siro crowd is already enamored with Leão, and every time he touches the ball, they are ready to erupt. If Fonseca’s plans come to fruition, fans could see an even more electrifying version of Leão in the near future.
