Lazio vs Milan: Leao is evolving into a true 'number 9'

04/12/2025 10:02:00 PlaymakerHub

Rafael Leao continues to wear the number 10 shirt, yet he is increasingly transforming into the "number 9" striker that coach Max Allegri desires to fit Milan’s current 3-5-2 system.

When Max Allegri chose to shift Leao from the left flank to a central position, many doubted the decision. Leao is famous for his speedy runs down the wing rather than being a classic center forward who holds up the ball or capitalizes on chances inside the box. However, Allegri, known for successfully reinventing players by assigning them new roles, saw great potential in his player.

At 1.88 meters tall with strong physical fitness, Leao has the necessary traits of a typical striker. Former coach Stefano Pioli urged him to use his heading ability more to exploit his height, but it was only when Allegri forced Leao to adapt that he truly got used to playing closer to goal. Leao’s recent displays show he can adjust. His only goal against Lazio last weekend was a classic "number 9" type: a clever run to meet Tomori’s pass and a confident close-range finish. Unflashy but highly effective.

After a heavily criticized start to the season for lacking intensity, Leao is performing better and better. In his last seven matches for Milan, he has scored five goals and assisted once. Statistics also reveal a qualitative improvement. Leao shoots more frequently (1.22 shots per game compared to 0.85 last season), touches the ball more in the penalty area, and his scoring rate has dramatically increased (one goal every 125 minutes versus one every 291 minutes previously). He is no longer a winger artist but has become a lethal striker.

Leao is gradually adapting to the striker role at Milan.

Leao’s rise is good news for Milan but bad news for Santiago Gimenez. The Mexican forward, a costly signing in January 2025, is becoming redundant. His ankle injury is only part of the issue. The main problem is that Gimenez doesn’t align with Allegri’s philosophy. Max needs agile forwards who can move wide to create space and use their speed rather than a classic center forward like Gimenez.

With nine goalless Serie A matches, Gimenez has lost the coaching staff’s confidence. While Leao and Pulisic form a well-coordinated strike partnership, Gimenez seems out of place. Rumors linking him with West Ham or Sunderland are no coincidence. Milan is willing to listen to offers to reinvest in more fitting players.

The rematch against Lazio in the Coppa Italia round of 16 tonight will be another opportunity for Rafa Leao to continue practicing the role he is enjoying. Christian Pulisic’s return from a minor injury gives Milan confidence as they aim for another win over the capital club and a place in the quarterfinals.

Juventus’s recovery streak continued with a 2-0 victory over Udinese in the Coppa Italia round of 16, but the celebration was dampened by a serious injury to center-back Fabio Gatti, who suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee and will require surgery. Gatti is expected to be out for at least one month, adding to Juventus’s personnel difficulties. Previously, striker Dusan Vlahovic was confirmed to be sidelined for up to three months, and captain and center-back Gleison Bremer is still unavailable.

V.N

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