Sparkling Leao Hailed By Milan Coach Pioli
Umer Jamshaid Published November 08, 2023 | 09:50 AM
Milan, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Nov, 2023) Stefano Pioli said that Rafael Leao could be a world-beater after the inconsistent Portugal winger outshone Kylian Mbappe in AC Milan's 2-1 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain.
Leao drew Milan level with an acrobatic overhead kick and terrorised the PSG defence every time he had the ball while France star Mbappe struggled to get into a thrilling game at the San Siro.
Tuesday's stellar performance came in stark contrast to recent underwhelming displays and helped reignited Milan's hopes of making it out of Group F.
He put his finger to his lips as a gesture of defiance against criticism of his efforts in a poor run of form for him and the team as a whole which has left Milan six points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan.
"Rafa needs to have another look at his display tonight because how he performs is only down to him," Pioli told reporters.
"A lot of what he has was given to him by his parents with the talent he has, and he showed tonight that he has a huge amount of quality.
"If we all play with that same intensity we can have a lot of success."
Milan started the day bottom of the group with a zero in the goals scored column but are now right back in contention for the last 16 as they trail second-placed PSG by a single point.
"We get unconditional support from the fans even if things are difficult in the league," said Giroud. "This win gets the group going again... it does us a lot of good."
Pioli's players looked comfortable in the biggest match of their season and fully deserved their win, bouncing back from a dismal home defeat to Udinese at the weekend.
"This was the sort of reaction that I expected because I know my players, I know this group. They performed so well, with fantastic attitude," added Pioli.
"We did what we needed to do... now we need to try to become more consistent. Tonight's win gives us a better chance and the match with Dortmund will be decisive."
Luis Enrique lamented a "lack of control" on the part of his players, likening the contest more to a tennis match than a game of football.
"We had chances, we attacked, maybe we helped make the match be crazy, we should have played a football match, not a tennis match," he said.
"This is the Champions League, the highest level. Sometimes you can be in front and other times it's the other team. Either team could have won tonight."
PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was met with an extremely hostile reception from Milan fans who fully took the chance to barrack their former idol with insulting chants and fake Dollar bills depicting him as a mercenary for leaving for PSG as a free agent.
However he didn't seem fazed by the wave of abuse and pulled off a great late save from Noah Okafor to keep PSG in the game right until the last.
"He has experience and heart, we knew what kind of match this would be," added Luis Enrique.
"Football is passion, we have a great level in the squad, great players, and he had a good game."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
KP Assembly to pass caretaker govt's budget to fulfill constitutional responsibi ..
No plans for taxation on solar net metering: Power minister
Musadik urges political dialogue to resolve past conflicts
Funerals held for victims of attack on DR Congo camp
Federal govt reduces petrol price by Rs15.39 per litre
CM Bugti announces Rs 50 bln tube-wells solarization project
Vawda demands evidence about alleged interference in judiciary
Paramedical Association delegation calls on provincial president of PA Salam in ..
NCRC delegation discusses out of school children issue with Sindh Education mini ..
PFA imposes fine on bakeries on expired items
Maritime Affairs Minister attends 16th Annual All Pakistan Chambers Presidents' ..
Iranian cultural counselor stresses family's role in societal resilience amid Pa ..
More Stories From World
-
Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq end at records as US inflation cools
6 hours ago -
US drops Cuba criticism on terrorism cooperation
6 hours ago -
EU backs sanctions aimed at Russian 'propaganda' outlets
6 hours ago -
Man with knife wounds several in Swiss town: police
7 hours ago -
US to go ahead with $1 bln in new arms to Israel despite Rafah concerns: Reports
7 hours ago -
Curran signs off IPL 2024 with starring role for Punjab
7 hours ago
-
Man with knife wounds several in Swiss town: police
8 hours ago -
Sabalenka breezes past Ostapenko and into Rome Open semis
8 hours ago -
Funerals held for victims of attack on DR Congo camp
8 hours ago -
US drug deaths decline, hinting at progress against opioid crisis
10 hours ago -
Swiss court jails Gambian ex-minister for crimes against humanity
10 hours ago -
Digital innovations improve Tawaf ritual for 1445H Hajj season
10 hours ago