Rafael Leão explained his growth over the last few weeks and stated coach Stefano Pioli is showing him videos on how to improve his game.
Leão was subbed in on half time this evening, replacing Zlatan Ibrahimović against Sparta Prague at San Siro.
The Portuguese had an excellent impact on match and in the 57′ minute he also found the back of the net, finishing off an excellent attack which started with a pass from Ismaël Bennacer to Diogo Dalot and then a brilliant assist by Dalot to Leão.
“I’m very happy to have helped my team with my goal, I think the win is deserved because we played very well. We could have scored more today but it is fine,” Rafa told MilanTV. “The growth? I think confidence is the biggest difference this year. Last year I moved here to a new country, a new league so I needed time to adapt, while now I’ve settled in with the team and have the coach and teammate’s trust. When I score or provide an assist, it feels really good and I want to continue.
“My position? The coach says that when I play as a striker I need to stay in the box and focus on scoring, while on the wing I need to take on my man and provide assists. So that is what I want to try to do to help my team.
“Dalot? I played with Dalot in the national team when I was younger, so we play very well together, and I’m really happy for him: he played well, scored and provided me with the assist [smiles]. We’re helping him learn Italian so he can adapt more quickly and it is working. I think he needs to continue doing what he’s doing because he can be a big help for the team.”
Speaking to Sky Italia, Leão said: “My role? I try to give my best in any role the coach puts me in, as a center forward I’m closer to goal and I can score goals. The differences with last season? Last year I arrived in a new country, a new league… Serie A is difficult and I had a bit of difficulty but now I feel good, I feel the confidence and then when you score or serve assists the confidence increases.
“Pioli? The coach always talks to me, we work by reviewing video footage on how I can attack the space and make a difference. The team? We have confidence, so it’s easier to do great things. The coach tells us that the most important thing is to have fun, and that makes the difference.
“The resemblance with Henry? There’s a little, yes, in the way of running…”
huge potential. could become the next Ronaldo
No! Jao Felix is the next Ronaldo
No! Leao is the next ronaldo
Milan10 see? the kid does best when he has space to run, he is a great CF but under the current tactics he is best playing wide on the left.
If he keeps improving I’ll promise that I’ll never call him Niang 2.0 again
shame u didnt watch 2nd half of milan – sparta because leaonaldo did pretty well as st playing off defender’s shoulder. he did better than god ibra himself; faster, more dynamic.
put it this way, he did well as lw (sweet assists vs roma and vs inter), he did well as st (doppietta vs spezia, could’ve had doppietta too vs sparta if it wasnt for that selfish lesbian samu). like i said last season, leaonaldo and donneuer are 2 most talented youngsters of milan. leaonaldo fenomeno the king henry 2.0
Both Joao Felix and Rafael Leao are great in their own ways.