AC Milan’s Puzzling Decisions Regarding Rafael Leao

Since Sergio Conceicao took over as AC Milan’s manager, his handling of Rafael Leao has been increasingly scrutinized. Initially, some speculated that benching Leao was a strategy to motivate the Portuguese forward to fulfill his potential. However, after nearly three months, Leao’s situation remains unchanged.

The recent match against Napoli highlighted the peculiarity of Conceicao’s decisions. Despite Leao’s impressive track record as Milan’s top chance creator and one of Serie A’s best assisters, he was left on the bench in favor of Joao Felix. Conceicao’s post-match explanations were contradictory, citing both medical concerns and tactical choices.

Leao’s second-half performance against Napoli demonstrated his fitness and impact, contrasting sharply with Joao Felix’s ineffective display. This raises questions about Conceicao’s understanding of Milan’s dynamics and optimal lineup.

The decision to bench Leao is particularly perplexing given Milan’s struggles to establish a clear tactical identity this season. Leao not only masks these issues but often elevates his teammates’ performances, as evidenced by his synergy with Theo Hernandez.

As Milan’s disappointing season nears its end, the continued sidelining of their best player and a key asset for the club remains inexplicable. Conceicao’s choices and reasoning will likely face intense scrutiny as the team reflects on one of its poorest recent campaigns.