Allegri instructed Leao to let Nkunku take Milan’s penalty against Como | OneFootball

Christopher Nkunku equalised from the penalty spot just before half-time during Milan’s Serie A match against Como on Thursday night, but Rafael Leao was left slightly surprised that Massimiliano Allegri did not want him to take the kick.

Why did Nkunku take Milan’s penalty instead of Leao?

Milan fell 1-0 behind to a Marc-Oliver Kempf header in the first half of their Serie A match against Como on Thursday evening, and equalised a few moments before half-time after Adrien Rabiot was clipped in the area.

You can see how the action from Thursday’s Serie A matches unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

COMO, ITALY – JANUARY 15: Christopher Nkunku of AC Milan celebrates with his team-mates after scoring their team’s first goal1 from the penalty spot during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AC Milan at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

While the Como players protested the decision to award a penalty, Rafael Leao was stood over the spot, clearly expecting to take it as one of Milan’s regular set-piece takers.

Allegri, however, decided that he wanted Nkunku to take it instead. The coach’s decision was communicated to Leao via his teammates.

COMO, ITALY – JANUARY 15: AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri looks on during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AC Milan at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The Portugal international was joined on the spot by Nkunku, and then by several others, including Matteo Gabbia and Youssouf Fofana, who appeared to tell Leao to let Nkunku take the penalty.

A slightly confused Leao was seen trying to communicate with the technical area, pointing to himself and making a confused gesture, before stepping away and letting Nkunku take the spot kick.

The Frenchman needed a stroke of fortune from his set-piece, which crept into the net despite a strong hand from Como stopper Jean Butez.

This was Nkunku’s fourth goal of the Serie A season. All four of those strikes have come in his last three outings.