How Milan have fared in matches without Leao in 2024-25

MONZA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 02: Rafael Leao of AC Milan looks on before the Serie A match between AC Monza and AC Milan at U-Power Stadium on November 02, 2024 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

In a surprise call, Rafael Leao has been left among the substitutes for Milan’s Serie A match away against Patrick Vieira’s Genoa on Monday evening. Here is a reminder of how the Rossoneri have got on without the Portugal international in the starting line-up. 

Leao left out of Genoa-Milan XI 

Leao has not been included in the starting line-up against Genoa on Monday night, and has instead been replaced by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who will play alongside Christian Pulisic and behind Luka Jovic in the Rossoneri attack. 

You can follow the action as it unfolds on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Initial reports suggest that this is either a tactical choice or a decision to rest Leao ahead of the Bologna match on Friday night, rather than there being any concerns surrounding Leao’s fitness. 

How have Milan got on without Leao in 2024-25

Leao has appeared as a substitute on seven previous occasions in Serie A so far in 2024-25. He has provided two goals and two assists from those seven appearances. 

Leao came off the bench in a 2-2 draw with Lazio, a 2-0 loss against Napoli, a 1-0 win over Monza, a 2-0 win against Empoli, a 1-0 win against Hellas Verona, a 3-2 win over Lecce and a 2-1 loss, again against Napoli. 

In the 2-2 draw against Lazio, Milan were 1-0 up by half-time. Milan fell 2-1 behind after two quick-fire goals in the 62nd and 66th minutes. Leao appeared in the 70th minute and scored less than two minutes later. 

Leao appeared in the 62nd minute against Napoli in October in an eventual 2-0 loss, but both of those goals had gone in before the Portuguese entered the fray. 

Leao came on in the 63rd in a 1-0 loss against Monza in the following game, but did not have an impact in terms of goals. Tijjani Reijnders scored the only goal of the game in the 43rd minute. 

Leao came on at half-time in an eventual 2-0 win over Empoli in February. He scored the opener in the 68th minute, with Santiago Gimenez adding another eight minutes later. 

The Portugal international also appeared as a half-time sub in the following game against Hellas Verona. He provided the assist for Santiago Gimenez in an eventual 1-0 win. 

Leao appeared at the interval again in a 3-2 win over Lecce in March. The Rossoneri were 2-0 down at half-time, but fought back with three second-half goals, which included a Leao assist. 

Leao most recently appeared as a substitute in a 2-1 loss against Napoli at the end of March, without any contributions in terms of goals or assists.