Rafael Leão Struggles as AC Milan Slips to One of Serie A’s Worst Runs

AC Milan, with Rafael Leão as a key figure, is currently experiencing a troubling slump in Serie A, registering one of the league's poorest performances over the last two months. This decline has raised concerns about their ability to secure a Champions League qualification spot.

The Rossoneri had appeared to regain momentum following their 2-1 victory over Inter Milan in the 28th round on March 8, a result that briefly reignited hopes of a title challenge. However, since that win, AC Milan has managed only seven points from eight league matches, a tally more typical of teams battling relegation than those competing for European places.

This run places Milan as the fourth worst performing team over this period, with only Verona (2 points), Pisa (3 points), and Lecce (5 points) faring worse. The timing of this downturn is particularly damaging, occurring during a critical phase of the season when the club needed to accelerate its form to secure a top-four finish.

As a result of this poor form, AC Milan has slipped out of the top four for the first time since the third round of the season. At the time of their derby win against Inter, Milan trailed the league leaders by seven points; that gap has since widened to 18 points, underscoring the severity of their decline.

Rafael Leão, who has been a central attacking presence for Milan, has mirrored the team's struggles. Over the last eight matches, he has started seven times but has failed to score, contributing only one assist during this stretch. This dip in individual form has compounded the club’s difficulties in securing positive results.

The recent 3-2 defeat to Atalanta on Sunday further highlighted Milan's fragile state, as they conceded three goals despite their efforts. This loss deepens the challenge for Stefano Pioli’s side as they attempt to stabilize their campaign.

Looking ahead, AC Milan faces the task of reversing this negative trend to reclaim a Champions League qualification spot. The coming fixtures will be crucial in determining whether the Rossoneri can regain consistency and push back into the top tier of Serie A standings. Meanwhile, Rafael Leão will be under pressure to rediscover his scoring touch to help lift the team out of this difficult period.