Rafa Leão is evolving as a player. In various moments of matches, he has been positioned centrally in the attack, almost as a number 9. Yet, although it might seem he has changed, he continues to stand out on the pitch, even if he occasionally struggles with finishing. This may seem contradictory, but both statements are true: the recent clash between Milan and Torino showcased Leão’s new role but also highlighted the room he has for growth. If he improves his finishing, he could become the strongest player in Serie A, similar to his performances under Pioli. His recent Instagram post captured this spirit perfectly: “Never give up,” he declared. Although aimed at his team, it certainly applies to him as well.
The season’s opening match revealed a shift in Leão’s playing style. AC Milan often initiates attacks with Leão and Chukwueze wide, taking up positions further advanced than Pulisic and the striker (Jovic on the pitch and Morata when he returns). This strategy by coach Fonseca indicates a desire for his striker and attacking midfielder to create a dynamic partnership with two midfielders. However, during the preseason and in the recent match, Leão frequently interchanged positions with the center forward. When Morata, who has a tendency to drift left, is involved, this could become a common occurrence. Consequently, we see Leão taking up advanced positions, which raises two important questions about Milan’s revamped attack.
Can Leão evolve into a mobile number 9, reminiscent of Thierry Henry? When asked directly about this, he responded, “I can play close to the striker, but now teams defend more tactically, blocking the central areas. I haven’t played with my back to goal for years; I need space to see the entire field. I don’t see myself playing as a center forward anytime soon.” He is not convinced, and Fonseca isn’t pushing him in that direction. The coach wants him to start wide, ask for the ball, and attempt quick combinations to penetrate defenses effectively.
The second question that has lingered for years is: how many goals could Leão score if he were more clinical in front of goal? While he possesses a powerful curled shot with his right foot, he is less prolific than other attackers from outside the box. When one-on-one with the goalkeeper, he alternates between moments of brilliance—like the deft chip against Napoli or the skillful dribble against Cagliari—and glaring misses. In the match against Torino, he squandered a golden opportunity in front of Milinkovic, and despite having sprinted 50 meters to get there, he needed to do better in that situation. In Milan’s first chance, a header from Thiaw was cleared off the line by Masina, but Leão failed to hit the target from just two meters away. If he can improve in these key areas, he could transform into a completely different player.
For instance, against Monza at the Berlusconi Stadium, he leapt over a defender to redirect a header and then struck from a distance after cutting in from the left. These are attacking options he has employed far less in the past. If he incorporates these skills consistently, he could find himself approaching a remarkable milestone: scoring 20 goals in the league.
