How do you know Pioli doesn't ask Leao to run behind the defenders in these situations? We know Leao is a player who thrives on freedom and likes to be given plenty of that. But that doesn't mean Pioli doesn't ask him to do certain things.
Pioli is not the dictator type of coach who will bench a player for not following instructions. Especially when he can't afford to do that given that Leao is by far our best player. How many times have we heard Pioli say Leao can improve further and that he "expects more from him".
Here's just one example of him telling reporters what he wants Leao to do. "Don't drop too low", "play closer to the area", "attack the far post". He also admits he gives his attacking players freedom in the last 30. This is really good advice. You have to hold the player accountable if he's not as hungry as he should be. Leao has the world at his feet. He just needs to apply himself more.
On Leão: “I gave a rule to the players who are at the World Cup: they can rest easy but they have the obligation to call me at the end of every game to tell me how they are. Leão plays very little in Portugal? It’s difficult to judge, Portugal have a high-level squad. If you see him in training, you immediately understand his incredible potential. He has a technique combined with a speed that few have. Over time he has developed and understood how to play, and how to be in a place like Milan where the pressures are different. It took time but the potential to be great was all there. I think he still needs to make a leap to become a Champion. Where he fits more? It depends on the strategy of the game, 1v1 he becomes difficult to catch. But there are times when he centralizes and other times when he drops too low. Such offensive players need to be closer to the penalty area. He can play everywhere. I think he can become even more decisive in the opponent’s area. He is a very intelligent guy who is very approachable. However, we are talking about players who are talented and they must have freedom in the last 30 meters. I want him to close more at the far post, I always tell him that. He should have more of an impact.”
1. I know the same way I know that I know Kessie was asked to drop to Theo’s spot when he moved up. The same way I know Theo is asked to run mor centrally.
I have 2 eyes, and maybe not the best head but it does the basics.
You act like we need to be in the secret of gods to see and understand these things.
They can be seen on the field, even when failed in the execution, you can still see the ideas/attempts.
2. We know the principles of Pioli’s football…creating those kind of situations is not part of it. The main way of creating is giving him the ball to his feet a few meters after the center line and have him go past a few defenders to create something…hell, even though the situation in this topic wasn’t suited for that, but more suited for a run behind, he made the decision our system of play heavily Prioritize…second nature.
You went full Milan10 … adding things, blowing things bigger, linking things that are not linked. Or attributing stances/opinions of person X to person Y.
Who talked about benching him because he doesn’t follow instructions? My stance is simple and clear: he is not coached with those instruction to become top, more dangerous than just his technical and technical skills.
Those talks of benching him because he doesn’t follow instructions, that’s nowhere close to a suggestion or thought of me.
My stance is, he doesn’t get those instructions at all, not that he doesn’t follow em…let alone benching him for it. that’s all you.
Also, it takes a big mind twist to equate instilling in Rafa and making it natural to him to make runs behind in such situations to restricting his freedom.
Tracking back or marking the Opposing RB. OK
Making him hug the touchline. OK
But how does making runs behind restricts his freedom?
