"Rafael Leao was about to get a yellow card for his celebration after his winning penalty, until Matteo Gabbia stepped in. As La Gazzetta dello Sport write, Leao usually celebrates by surfing on an imaginary board. On Sunday night though he had too much adrenaline to celebrate with a static pose. He needed to let off steam, after a goal that led to three huge points and ended his 513-day home league goal drought."
"After scoring the penalty that Santiago Gimenez won, Leao ran under the Curva Sud and began to take off his shirt. That means a guaranteed yellow card usually, but at that moment, he was rescued by chance and the foresight of a team-mate. The coincidence is that modern shirts, under which a sort of GPS bib is placed that stores the player's biometrics, aren't always the easiest to remove. Leao, in fact, managed to lift half of it and then got a bit tangled up."
"These seconds were crucial, because the 'veteran' Gabbia was able to intervene, someone who isn't old but is certainly wise. His team-mate hugged him tightly and held down his yellow shirt just long enough to allow Rafa to continue celebrating, then being engulfed by a collective embrace. He escaped a caution, and we know how unwarranted yellows infuriate coaches. Meanwhile, Gabbia confirms himself as a key, silent but nevertheless significant pillar of the dressing room. Leao will have to repay his debt."
Rafael Leao scored a winning penalty that ended a 513-day home league goal drought and secured three vital points. He celebrated energetically under the Curva Sud, attempting to remove his shirt in an adrenaline-fueled moment that normally attracts a yellow card. Modern shirts with biometric GPS bibs can be hard to remove; Leao became tangled while lifting his shirt. Matteo Gabbia intervened, hugging and holding down the shirt long enough to prevent a booking and allow Leao to keep celebrating with teammates. Gabbia’s quick action avoided a caution, showcased his dressing-room importance, and created a personal debt Leao will need to repay.
Read at SempreMilan
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