MY ACCOUNT
Rafael Leao was likened to Thierry Henry by Milan head coach Stefano Pioli after firing his side to a slender victory against Sampdoria.
The Portugal international scored the only goal of the game eight minutes into Sunday’s clash at San Siro to send Milan top of Serie A.
Leao controlled a pass from Mike Maignan – the first Milan keeper to assist a league goal since Dida in 2006 – powered past Bartosz Bereszynski and coolly converted.
He now has 10 goals for the season in all competitions, making him the Rossoneri’s joint-leading goalscorer alongside Olivier Giroud.
That is already three goals more than Leao managed in 39 appearances last season, and four more than in his first season at San Siro in 2019-20.
Of those 10 goals this season, seven have been scored in Serie A and four of them have been the opening goal of the match.
Pioli has been pleased with Leao’s development and is confident there is more to come from the 22-year-old striker.
“I believe he can always do better, he must not be satisfied,” Pioli said at his post-match news conference. “He has the qualities to reach the top of Europe and the world.
“He reminds me of Henry, but it is true that Rafa must be himself. Leao is an extraordinary player, but he mustn’t rest on his laurels.”
Milan took full advantage of Inter’s 1-1 draw with Napoli on Saturday to leapfrog both sides into top spot with their win over Sampdoria.
The Rossoneri are two points in front of Napoli and one better off than Inter, who have a game in hand to play.
Pioli’s side have gained 55 points from their opening 25 matches – in the era of three points for a win, they have had so many only in 2003-04 (64).
But while his side occupy top spot in a tight battle for the Scudetto, Pioli insisted he is not yet thinking about ending Milan’s 11-year wait for a league title.
“Our goal does not change,” he said. “We printed last year’s standings at the beginning of the season and our goal is to improve on the 79 points collected last season.
“We had a perfect week and I’m happy for the guys who really gave everything, playing with intensity and determination, which allowed us to achieve these results.
“We also know that the championship is still long: let’s concentrate as we have always done to better prepare for the next match to get the best out of it.”
Milan may be flying high in Serie A and through to the Coppa Italia semi-finals, but not every player is in the good books of supporters.
Franck Kessie appeared to be targeted by the club’s ultras on Sunday amid suggestions he is not planning to sign a new contract, with his current one set to expire in July.
A banner was unfurled at San Siro that read: “Those who love Milan show it with facts; cordial goodbyes to those who are dissatisfied.”
Kessie was also booed by some supporters during the warm-ups, which Pioli was not pleased with.
“I heard it. I don’t think it’s the right thing because we need everyone. The past teaches us it is the attitudes and behaviours of the players that make the difference,” he said.
“When I train, I don’t care if he has renewed or if it’s about to expire. I know these players and I see them, I see how they behave.
“As long as they have the right attitudes, I will put them on the pitch. The Milan fans have a great heart and a great passion and are giving us great support.”
