Football Italia
·21 November 2024
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·21 November 2024
Rafael Leao hopes that returning to his best form recently can inspire him against Juventus next weekend, as he’s desperate to end a lengthy scoring drought in front of the Milan fans.
The Rossoneri host Thiago Motta’s outfit at the San Siro on Saturday, as Paulo Fonseca are urged to get a win not to lose more ground from the Serie A summit.
Real Madrid’s Eder Militao (L) in action against AC Milan’s Rafael Leao (R) during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Real Madrid and AC Milan, in Madrid, Spain, 05 November 2024. EPA-EFE/JUANJO MARTIN
Leao delivered two impressive displays in Milan’s last two fixtures at Real Madrid and Cagliari, and now has a further chance to prove he’s back to his best level by leveraging the motivation of putting his name on the scoresheet at home after a long time in one of the most important games of the season.
Leao’s last goal for Milan at the San Siro dates back to last May, in a 3-3 draw against Salernitana that also marked the last Rossoneri match for Olivier Giroud, Simon Kjaer and coach Stefano Pioli.
He remained scoreless in his side’s five home Serie A games so far this season, as much as he was only a second-half substitute in their last fixture at the San Siro against Napoli and remained 90 minutes on the bench in the previous one against Udinese.
Portugal’s Rafael Leao celebrates after scoring the 1-0 goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Portugal and Poland, in Porto, Portugal, 15 November 2024. EPA-EFE/ESTELA SILVA
However, that was before he finally started sending encouraging signs by destroying Real Madrid in the Champions League and scoring twice at Cagliari, as well as finding the net with Portugal during the international break.
Putting an end to a staggering six-month scoring drought at the San Siro would be the best way for Leao to extend his streak of positive displays and help Milan revive their season, as they need points to catch up with the teams in the upper part of the Serie A table.