Clarence Seedorf feels that absence of Rafael Leao was decisive for AC Milan’s subpar performance against Inter yesterday evening.
Speaking to Amazon Prime, via FCInter1908, the former Rossoneri, Nerazzurri, Real Madrid, and Ajax man reacted to the Champions League semifinal first leg.
The injury to Rafael Leao was a major talking point in the buildup to yesterday evening’s match.
The Portuguese international picked up a muscle problem during his team’s Serie A win over Lazio on Saturday.
The problem was serious enough that Leao had to miss yesterday’s match, not even risked on the bench.
Whilst Rossoneri coach Stefano Pioli had other attacking players to shift around, it always looked as though Leao’s absence would be a blow.
The 23-year-old has been Milan’s key man in attack for some time, with his pace and skill capable of unlocking matches.
Therefore, Pioli had a tough task on his hands setting up for such an important match without his star man.
Whilst the coach did manage to eventually get a grip on the match with his organizational approach, the team lacked an individual spark.
Leao had always been the player who would typically be expected to show the technical quality to provide that spark.
Clarence Seedorf – Milan Forced To Change With Rafael Leao Out
Legendary Dutch former midfielder Clarence Seedorf suggested that Milan lost a lot of their tactical identity in the absence of star man.
“For Milan I hope that Leao can return,” he suggested, “with him in the team Milan can play deeper on the pitch.”
“His absence was felt,” the former midfielder said of the Portuguese international.
“Milan’s true nature got distorted, and they have to re-find that, with or without Leao.”
Seedorf also had some words of praise for one Inter player in particular.
He argued that “I’m a big fan of Dzeko, he knows how to move between the spaces and hold the ball up.”
“He’s a complete player and knows how to get himself into the right positions, he’s good in both phases of play,” he said of the Bosnian.
