Leao ‘the best player’ in Serie A, but Milan and Allegri face ‘dilemma’ pundits say

Alessandro Florenzi says Rafael Leao is the ‘best player in Serie A’ but Paolo Di Canio argues that Milan are ‘less exposed’ when the Portuguese star doesn’t play.

Leao scored a goal in Milan’s 2-0 win over Cremonese on Sunday, leaving the second-placed Rossoneri 10 points below city rivals Inter.

Sky Sport Italia examined Milan’s performance, focusing specifically on the Portuguese.

Florenzi: ‘Leao the best player in Serie A’

Leao has been struggling with fitness issues this term, but has still scored nine goals and provided two assists in 20 Serie A appearances.

Rather than as a left winger, Leao has been deployed as a centre-forward in Milan’s 3-5-2 system this season.

“I think strong players must take responsibility and must be well-positioned on the pitch,” said Florenzi, an ex-Milan defender who won the Scudetto at Milan alongside Leao in 2021-22.

“They have to play in a certain way to express their football. I don’t know if Milan are giving Leao as much as Leao is giving to Milan right now.

“Milan now play on the counter, which suits him, but I’ve seen him play on a more harmonious team in terms of playing style, and he emerged,” Florenzi continued.

“To me, he remains the best player in Serie A.”

Di Canio: Milan’s dilemma with Leao

Ex-Milan, Lazio and West Ham striker Di Canio hit back: “There’s a dilemma for Allegri as Leao has been decisive in just six games.

“When Leao was subbed off against Torino and Pulisic was introduced, Milan completed the comeback. In six games without Leao, they scored 16 goals and conceded none.

“Tactically, it’s a more solid team, probably less unpredictable, but they are less exposed and get to the goal with strength and technique. It’s not one or two games, it’s six games. This doesn’t mean Leao doesn’t have to play. But what to do with him?”

Di Canio, however, had his stats slightly wrong, as Leao has missed seven Serie A matches this season, not six.

The Rossoneri scored 15 goals and conceded three when the Portuguese was not involved this term.