"Rafael Leao will once again be asked to lead the line for AC Milan tonight against Torino, and the data shows his evolution. Christian Pulisic is expected to miss the game against Torino at the Stadio Olimpico, or at most make the bench. That means that the attack will be on Leao's shoulders again, given his probable partner Christopher Nkunku is really struggling to find form."
"Milan's top scorer in Serie A is increasingly a centre-forward and less of a playmaker. Massimiliano Allegri is shaping the 'new Leao', who is increasingly central to the attacking play, more in finishing than in creating. With five goals in his last seven Serie A games, the former Lille star is the player who has scored the most goals in this period. As confirmed by the numbers provided by Opta (via MilanPress), Leao is averaging 1.6 shots on target per 90 minutes, his highest number in a single season since his arrival in Italy."
"While his shots increase, the number of successful dribbles and chances created decreases. Over 90 minutes, he created 0.9 chances and 0.7 successful dribbles, and has never recorded such low numbers in his time at Milan. Leao is increasingly effective, and is moving more like a striker."
Rafael Leao will start as AC Milan's centre-forward against Torino with Christian Pulisic likely absent and Christopher Nkunku out of form. Massimiliano Allegri has reshaped Leao into a more central finishing role, prioritising goals over playmaking. Leao has scored five goals in his last seven Serie A matches, the most in that period. Opta data shows he averages 1.6 shots on target per 90 minutes, his highest seasonal rate at Milan. Meanwhile his successful dribbles (0.7) and chances created (0.9) per 90 are career lows at the club. Since his Serie A debut he has been involved in 101 top-flight goals for Milan (60 goals, 41 assists).
Read at SempreMilan
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