Rossoneri legend Alessandro Costacurta says that Rafael Leao was extra offended at Christian Pulisic than he was at his substitution two thirds of the best way by means of on Sunday night.
Leao reacted angrily when he was taken off after 65 minutes of Milan’s disappointing defeat within the capital on Sunday night time and appeared to reject a hug from head coach Massimiliano Allegri on the touchline on the time of the change.
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Many have taken the opinion, nonetheless, that the Portugal worldwide was most annoyed with teammate Pulisic, who had failed to slide him in on purpose simply moments earlier than the substitution board went up.
Costacurta reacts to Leao substitution
Milan’s defeat towards Lazio implies that they’ve now slipped eight factors behind league leaders Inter with 9 video games of the season left to go, once they may have moved inside 5 factors of the Nerazzurri. Reigning champions Napoli at the moment are only one level behind the Rossoneri in third place.
“Eight factors with 9 video games to go is quite a bit. If I had been in that group, I’d begin occupied with the opposite sides behind,” stated Costacurta on Sky Calcio Membership after Milan’s loss on Sunday night time (by way of ).
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Costacurta agrees that Leao was naturally annoyed about having to come back off with nearly half an hour left to play, however that he was in all probability extra annoyed at Pulisic for the dearth of passes in on purpose.
“I used to be amazed that regardless of some glorious pictures from Leao, Pulisic by no means gave it to him. Captain America most well-liked to provide it to others and made that clear. I used to be making the identical gestures as Leao: ‘Give it to him, give it to him!’
“He wasn’t offended concerning the sub, however about Pulisic’s lack of go. I wouldn’t have taken Leao off, I’d have moved him.”
Costacurta additionally agrees that this was a missed alternative for his previous membership.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 15: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan shoots while beneath stress from Patric and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru of Lazio throughout the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on March 15, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Picture by Paolo Bruno/Getty Pictures)
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“For me, Milan missed an awesome alternative to place stress on the strongest aspect and see how they might have reacted.
“The primary 10 minutes, Lazio appeared actually up for it, when Milan ought to have been. The message you ship at the start is vital for the remainder of the sport. In addition they performed a good recreation, however you may’t simply give minutes away.”