Rafael Leao set to start for Milan against Verona despite recent criticism
Rafael Leao is in line to start for AC Milan in their Serie A clash against Hellas Verona this weekend, according to reports from Italy. Despite being heavily criticized and even whistled by some supporters following a difficult outing as a central striker against Udinese, the Portuguese forward is expected to retain his place in the starting eleven. Manager Max Allegri is considering deploying him alongside either Christian Pulisic or Christopher Nkunku in an attacking trident, though not strictly as a number nine.
The decision stems from Allegri's continued faith in the 24-year-old, a stance historically proven to bring out the best in Leao's performances. The manager's choice to use Leao as a central attacker against Udinese, bypassing natural strikers Luka Jovic and Olivier Giroud, was born from a specific tactical plan. According to analysis from Italian media, Allegri had been testing a three-forward system in training the prior week, seeking new offensive solutions after a struggling performance against Napoli. Leao was trialed centrally in these sessions, with Pulisic and Nkunku operating from the wide areas.
Allegri's reasoning for favoring Leao centrally reportedly hinges on two main factors. Firstly, the manager has viewed the Portuguese international as a central attacker since the start of the year, believing the defensive workrate demanded from his wide forwards does not suit Leao's natural game. Secondly, the physical condition of striker Luka Jovic, who only returned in March from a long-term ankle injury, is not yet considered at the level of his teammates, limiting Allegri's options.
The experiment against Udinese proved challenging, however, leading to a halftime substitution that saw Leao shifted to his familiar left-wing role. It was from this position that he created one of Milan's most promising chances of the match. This sequence has fueled the belief that while Leao may start against Verona, his positioning could be more fluid, potentially avoiding the isolated central role. For Milan supporters, the hope is that the team's performance against the league's bottom side will not be so desperate as to require another second-half rescue act.
The ongoing situation highlights a period of tactical adjustment for Allegri's Milan, as he seeks to integrate his attacking talents effectively. Leao, the club's talisman since his arrival from Lille in 2019, remains a pivotal yet sometimes inconsistent figure. His potential inclusion from the start represents a significant show of support from the coaching staff, aiming to reignite the form that made him the Serie A MVP in the 2021-22 title-winning season. A strong performance in Verona could be crucial for both the player's confidence and Milan's push for Champions League qualification.
