Ambrosini gives advice to Leao and Allegri after substitution in Lazio 1-0 Milan

Massimio Ambrosini has given advice to both Rafael Leao and Massimiliano Allegri after Milan’s 1-0 loss away against Lazio, during which the Portugal international reacted angrily after being taken off in the 66th minute. 

Milan slipped to a 1-0 defeat away against Lazio in Serie A on Sunday evening, which means that Inter’s lead at the top of the table has been extended to eight points with nine league games of the season left to go, despite dropping points against Atalanta this weekend. 

Aside from the result, there was also a concerning moment for Milan supporters two thirds of the way through their Lazio loss, when Leao refused to give his head coach, Allegri, a hug on the touchline after being substituted off. 

The Portugal international reacted angrily, especially after teammate Christian Pulisic had failed to slip him in on goal with a decent opportunity just moments before the substitution was called. 

Ambrosini on Leao, Allegri and Lazio 1-0 Milan

Speaking on DAZN after full-time on Sunday, former Ambrosini, a four-time Scudetto winner with Milan, advised Leao that he should channel the anger and frustration that he occasionally shows when he is on the pitch, rather than when he is taken off it. 

“I think that he has to show that anger when he comes off when he’s on the pitch,” said Ambrosini.
“He always gives that impression that the competitive charge is missing. But he has to channel that anger during the game in one way or another. 

“By the 34th minute, he’d touched the ball four times, one of which was a header. The feeling is that by nature and by his characteristics, he’s a player you have to try and keep switched on. He doesn’t light up much, though.” 

Ambrosini also advised Allegri that playing Leao as a centre-forward, especially when the Rossoneri swap to a 4-3-3 is a waste of his qualities. 

“As a centre-forward, he takes a lot more breaks than he does when he’s playing out wide. I wouldn’t have changed (the shape) today. 

“Milan went from a 3-5-2 to a 4-3-3 in the second half with Pulisic out wide and Leao up front. Again, I would have kept him out wide and gone to a 4-2-3-1. He’s wasted as a centre-forward.”