Rafael Leao can prove to be a 'decent' striker for AC Milan

Portuguese striker Rafael Leao scored one goal when AC Milan beat Rennes in the first leg of the 2023/2024 Europa League play-off on Thursday, 15 February 2024. The Rossoneri coach Stefano Pioli said that Leao has qualities as a striker and the Italian side won hands down with a score of 3-0 at Home.

The 28-year-old Englishman Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored a superb brace against Rennes. Meanwhile, Leao contributed with the third goal for AC Milan in the 53rd minute and he broke through Rennes' goal by completing Theo Hernandez's cross. With this goal, Leao ended his month-long goal drought for the Italian club. The 58-year-old veteran coach Pioli emphasized that he was never worried about Leao's goal drought. “Naturally, he wants to score goals, but Rafa was always calm and made the difference with assists during this period and was always at the centre of our attacking phase," Milan's coach told Sky Sport Italia. “We want Rafa to be in the box more, he is starting to do that, but in general he is always involved in the team's wins.”

Pioli thinks Leao has the qualities to be a striker and he can prove his worth soon. However, the Italian manager demands that the Portuguese striker a bit to improve his abilities so he can become a goal-hungry striker. "Leao will always look for the aesthetic and we have no intention of taking that away from him," he continued. "But he knows what he has to improve to become a striker, score a few more goals and be in the box more consistently.”

The Portuguese forward has made 192 appearances for AC Milan in all competitions and has scored 50 goals for the Italian club. Leao also has assisted 45 times in those games for Rossoneri.