Giroud’s gesture emblamatic as evanescent Leao disappoints again

Rafael Leao was one of the worst players on the field during the first leg between AC Milan and Roma last week, and he was unable to redeem himself last night.

This morning’s edition of the newspaper Corriere dello Sport (via PianetaMilan) writes how Leao effectively made himself evanescent when his team-mates needed him. Aside from drawing the red card from Zeki Celik and crossing for Matteo Gabbia’s goal, it was a performance that fell short of all expectations.

The Portuguese winger was powerless in the face of a Milan team that sank with each passing minute. There were many confused and ill-executed ideas, few dribbles, few crosses/passes and often done badly, and far too many stumbles. It was reminiscent of the first leg.

The most symbolic moment of the night came when Olivier Giroud was furious at a poor choice by Rafa, namely when he sent in a cross without looking that totally overshot everyone and went out for a goal kick. The Frenchman looked perplexed at the ex-Lille man, who responded with a grimace.

The assist for Gabbia’s consolation goal cannot be enough to save him from an insufficient performance. Yet it is from him that Milan expect a spark given he is the highest paid player, and instead he failed to show up in the two biggest games of the season.