Rafael Leao, in my opinion, is the most attractive footballer in Serie A.
Or did I say the most interesting? I probably meant better too.
The first Milan derby of the season. But above all, the first real test of the season’s strength for two title fighters it’s been hard to draw conclusions from so far.
On the other hand, the points flocked at an acceptable pace. On the other hand, it wasn’t much more than that.
When the final whistle went off at the San Siro and the Reds won 3-2, I couldn’t really have been wiser about the team – I was probably incredibly amused throughout the game.
Of course, Milan’s offense looks great at times – but the way Inter were invited back into the match is thought-provoking.
Of course, Inter have looked beyond at times – but the way they are back in the game gives some kind of positive sign.
So what does the analysis look like?
You choose joy. Fun to play. Liao smile.
Treat defenders like cones
Milan’s management chose to turn down the billions of bids that came from the Premier League this summer.
Fortunately it was.
Because without Rafael Liao, the defending champion would not have been a candidate for the Scudetto this season. Without Rafael Liao, they didn’t have the offensive X factor that made the difference at the San Siro on Saturday. Of course, conflict-seeking Theo Hernandez, Sandro Tonali, and cunning Olivier Giroud, are also invaluable. But tonight is for a 23-year-old Portuguese guy.
If Samir Handanovic’s wrists were ten years younger than that, he might not have led Leo to finish 1-1 in the net but a corner kick instead. But that shouldn’t take anything away from the brilliance of the strike and the spontaneous action of the person who, in my opinion, is league: A football player who can be seen absolutely.
A trait he justified again when he made a perfectly normal defense for Inter (speaking of holding key pieces during the summer window) appearing as blue-black cones when he danced in the penalty area and rolled softly at 3-1 with the playing clock.
And then he already dealt with defenders like cones earlier, and then with a balanced help, when he played 2-1.
Did I say the most interesting? I probably meant better too.
It’s too early to write off anyone
Inter also managed to retain all the keys that made them a title contender last season. They were even able to add a returning Romelu Lukaku to the squad, although he is absent through injury today.
On paper, they should be the favorites to get the title. Especially if we take into account that Max Allegri’s Juventus seems to continue, even this season, with a kind of devastating football experience (more on that at another time).
But while no eleven have changed in the last year, with the exception of Ivan Perisic, a refugee from Tottenham, the feeling is that something is missing.
However, it is still too early to write off anyone, especially this Inter, from the Scudetto fight which has every chance of becoming very open and interesting this spring.
On the other hand, it’s never too early to praise the smiling Portuguese.
