Capello suggests Milan star Leao ‘psychologically blocked’ in front of goal

Milan News Newsnow Serie A

ByApollo Heyes

Feb 13, 2024 11:59

AC Milan defender Theo Hernandez (R) shakes hands with AC Milan forward Rafael Leao (L) as he celebrates scoring AC Milan's first goal during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and Napoli at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan on February 11, 2024, wearing the Milan Pleasures kit. (Photo by Isabella BONOTTO / AFP) (Photo by ISABELLA BONOTTO/AFP via Getty Images)

Former coach Fabio Capello analysed Milan’s 1-0 win over Napoli, looking to explain why star winger Rafael Leao has struggled to end his goal drought.

The Rossoneri edged out a tense 1-0 win over the Partenopei in their Sunday evening Serie A clash, with Theo Hernandez’s 25^th minute strike proving the difference maker at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The Portuguese star earned praise for his impressive pass leading up to the winning goal.

Leao has been criticised in recent months for failing to be particularly clinical for Milan in the league, not netting in his last 16 Serie A matches. He did score in both of the club’s recent Coppa Italia matches with Cagliari and Atalanta.

Speaking on page 11 of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport, Capello first discussed Leao’s work in Milan’s win over Napoli and his difficulties in front of goal.

“The assist for Theo’s goal and that right-footed shot to the far post that ended up wide. This is the Leao of today, a fantastic finisher and a forward who is psychologically blocked when he has to shoot on goal.

“I would say yes (being psychologically blocked, ed.), also because there is little to discuss about capabilities. It seems to me that, this season, Leao has lost confidence when he goes to shoot, a classic for a forward who lacks confidence.

“He doesn’t look for the goal much because he thinks too much before shooting and… he makes a mistake, like in that action that could have given Milan a 2-0 lead against Napoli.

“Be careful though, you only make certain passes, like the one to Hernandez, if you have great vision of the game and Leao does.

“At the moment he almost seems to be having more fun looking for his teammates, and that could be fine for Milan, he remains a decisive player even if he doesn’t score.”

He spoke about if Leao could improve in a similar way Zlatan Ibrahimovic improved at Capello’s Milan.

“Given that I don’t allow myself to judge the work of Pioli and his staff and that I don’t know how Leao trains, I can certainly say that specific exercises are always useful. Zico, Baggio and Del Piero also stopped at the end of training to try shots, free kicks and penalties.

“For talented players, correcting defects is easier, the improvements are almost immediate and they are the first to notice it. I changed Ibra’s posture when he shot, he had a way of supporting himself that wasn’t functional to the way he shot.”

The former coach touched on Leao’s weaknesses with headers, something Ibrahimovic once suffered from.

“Zlatan didn’t lack the physical means, like Leao. He has everything to improve with his head. By the way, I also remember a great job with Boban, on high balls he hit the ball badly. Zvone was smart, he started to practice and learned.”

Capello commented on other examples of star players ironing out defects in their games.

“Once, while Van Basten was practicing free kicks, I approached him and said: ‘Marco, you have a problem with your run-up’. We worked on it, corrected it, and the following Sunday he scored from a free kick.

“And then Seedorf in Madrid, in training he improved a lot in his finishing. As you can see, we are talking about champions, very talented ones. If this is the basis, the work bears fruit. Leao belongs to this category, he is an international level footballer.”

Finally, Capello was asked if the Europa League could give Leao a new chance to shine.

“Pioli will have to be good at hitting the right chords preparing him for the match. In any case, I wouldn’t worry too much, if Leao continues to pass balls like the one the other evening…”