"The coach wants him closer to the net, less flashy, but more concrete. He continued: "In the end, the strikers have to score. Then comes everything else." Judging by certain numbers, he's not entirely wrong. Leao no longer starts on the left: his successful dribbles has dropped from 3.9 to 0.5 per game. Instead, he wants to decide matches in dangerous areas."
"Rafa gets the ball less as a centre-forward, but shoots almost twice as often from inside the penalty area and three times as often from inside the six-yard box. The result? In 11 games he has scored six goals, and two of those were sub appearances. Not only that, but Leao's average of one goal every 122 minutes is his best since he's played in Serie A, suggesting that he is more clinical in every sense of the word."
"In fact, Leao and Pulisic have only started once together in the league, against Inter on November 23rd. With Christopher Nkunku still battling an ankle issue and with Niclas F fcllkrug not yet ready for a starting spot, the choice is practically obligatory. Even then, it's no secret that the Pulisic-Leao duo has been Max's favoured pairing since the first summer friendlies. Tonight, finally, the San Siro will be able to enjoy the 'wonder couple'."
Rafael Leao has shifted position to play closer to goal and is being encouraged to focus on scoring rather than flashy play. His successful dribbles per game have dropped from 3.9 to 0.5 as he no longer starts on the left. He now shoots almost twice as often from inside the penalty area and three times as often from inside the six-yard box. In 11 games he has scored six goals, including two as a substitute, and averages one goal every 122 minutes — his best Serie A rate. Leao will start alongside Christian Pulisic with Christopher Nkunku injured and Niclas F fcllkrug not yet ready as Milan begin four games in 11 days at San Siro against Genoa.
Read at SempreMilan
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