This article contains adult content that may be inappropriate for minors. Please confirm that you are 18 years or older to continue. This article contains images or details that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. Rafael Leão's absence from the squad for the match against Torino resulted from a dialogue with Massimiliano Allegri, in which the Portuguese forward admitted he did not feel capable of helping the team. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Milan coach asked him for more commitment, but the Portuguese international's response was clear: "I can't." This situation led the coach to leave him out, a decision that surprised the player. The absence of the Portuguese international from the finishing training before the match raised alarms, nullifying the progress that was believed to have been made in recent weeks in recovering from pubalgia. It is worth noting that Leão has been struggling with persistent pubalgia in his right adductor. The physical issue has forced the player into a regimen of treatments, light exercises, and carefully controlled workloads. The injury, known for being recurrent, has severely limited his performance, especially regarding his main asset: acceleration and speed progression. The need to manage effort on the field limits his performance and creates a constant concern about aggravating the injury, an important factor with the World Cup on the horizon. Allegri himself stated in mid-February that the Portuguese was improving, but the situation regressed, forcing Leão to try to cope with the problem. Despite this episode, Allegri has not lost patience with the player. Leão remains a central piece in the coach's plans, who kept him on the field in previous months even when the injury forced him to practically walk. The decision not to call him up aims to fully recover him for the decisive phase of the season, starting with the match in Naples. Currently, Nkunku seems to be the favorite to partner with Pulisic in attack. However, if Leão's recovery goes well in the next ten days, Allegri will not hesitate to reintegrate him into the starting eleven.
Allegri This Massimiliano Allegri remains central to this story.
Allegri This Massimiliano Allegri remains central to this story.
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