AC Milan ended the 2022/23 Serie A campaign with three points in a 3-1 win over Verona, and we were once again led by Rafael Leao’s decisive performance.
Fresh from putting pen to paper on a contract extension in midweek that keeps him with us until 2028, the 23-year-old Portuguese star has been superb for us again this year in a difficult campaign.
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Admittedly, there were dips in his form at times, but with 16 goals and 15 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions, coupled with the importance of some of those goal contributions in big games, Leao has been a major positive for us this year and it was a fitting way to end the season with him securing the victory in front of the Curva Sud.
That goals tally was his best in a Milan shirt to date too, and with the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the need for a new talisman to lead us forward, Leao looks ready to take on that responsibility having now sorted out his long-term future.
The Rossoneri have a big challenge ahead this summer now though, as we must now address the shortcomings in the current squad and bring in real quality to ensure we compete at the top again next season.
Smart investments are needed, but it’s quality over quantity in the upcoming transfer window as we have to put pieces around Leao that not only complement him and help him improve further, but also take that responsibility and pressure off his shoulders and share it to make us a more dynamic attacking threat and consistently so.
This team now has the hallmarks of being Leao’s Milan moving forward as we make him the centre-piece of the attack, but one other player who deserves a mention too is Oliver Giroud.
His penalty on Sunday night took him to 18 goals and seven assists in 47 appearances this past season, and so again, despite his advancing years, he has proven to be an integral player for us in a difficult campaign where we ultimately fell short of our main objectives.
Leao and Giroud will no doubt lead the way for us again next season, but it’s hoped that they are provided with service from new faces that make their job easier, as well as with competition and depth ensuring that we can compete on multiple fronts and get back to winning silverware in the 2023/24 campaign.
