Rafael Leao admits he should ‘sense the purpose extra’ as a centre-forward and is filled with reward for Milan teammate Davide Bartesaghi in
The primary half was shaky and stuffed with errors, however the Rossoneri stepped up a gear after the restart and scored the winner by way of Rafael Leao on Adrien Rabiot’s help.
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Christian Pulisic and Luka Modric additionally pressured saves, whereas Mike Maignan was largely undisturbed by the Cagliari forwards.
Leao impressed with Milan teenager Bartesaghi
CAGLIARI, ITALY – JANUARY 02: Rafael Leao of Milan makes an attempt a purpose through the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Sant’Elia on January 02, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Picture by Enrico Locci/Getty Photographs)
“It was a workforce efficiency, we ready very nicely and we knew it will be extra about mentality than method,”
“Davide Bartesaghi performed in a brand new place as a central defender, however with the suitable mentality you are able to do something. He had an ideal efficiency, he can do nice issues at Milan. If all of us preserve our minds targeted, it’s simpler.
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“Davide is aware of what I believe, he’s very clever, he trains exhausting, is turning into an necessary participant for this workforce even when he’s younger. I really feel that he’ll obtain large issues.”
Niclas Fullkrug got here on for the ultimate 21 minutes, making his debut simply hours after finishing the mortgage transfer from West Ham United.
CAGLIARI, ITALY – JANUARY 02: Rafael Leao of AC Milan leaves the pitch through the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Sant’Elia on January 02, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Picture by Enrico Locci/Getty Photographs)
“Nic additionally got here on very well, having simply arrived. The workforce is in a great interval of kind and we’re blissful. I really feel that if I’ve two or three scoring alternatives, I’ve to attain two objectives. The coach is placing me nearer to the online, I have to sense the purpose extra, and in addition thank the squad for placing me in a situation to attain.”
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Are Milan focusing on the Scudetto this season or Champions League qualification?
“We now have goals, however there’s a protracted strategy to go. The workforce all know what the target of the membership is, we’re Milan and should attempt to win necessary trophies.”
CAGLIARI, ITALY – JANUARY 02: Adam Obert of Cagliari reacts as Rafael Leao of Milan scores a purpose, bringing the rating to 0-1 through the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Sant’Elia on January 02, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Picture by Enrico Locci/Getty Photographs)
There have been fairly just a few adjustments to the beginning XI, as Christopher Nkunku and Santiago Gimenez have been injured, with Christian Pulisic, Strahinja Pavlovic and Matteo Gabbia solely match for the bench.
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That meant Bartesaghi having to fill within the gaps as a makeshift a part of the again three.
“I do my speaking on the pitch. I’m glad to have the religion of the coach and the workforce, after they ask me for one thing, I attempt to give 100 per cent,” Bartesaghi instructed Sky Sport Italia.
“Leao all the time asks me to offer him an help, however I inform him all the things comes on the proper time.”