Leao hints at ‘ trouble ‘ over Bologna equaliser, but still believes in Milan 4th place

epa11928754 Milan’s Rafael Leao scores the opening goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match Bologna FC vs AC Milan at Renato Dall’Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, 27 February 2025. EPA-EFE/ELISABETTA BARACCHI

Rafael Leao hints at Milan frustration over the ‘strange’ Bologna victory, warning he had ‘best not talk about that or it might cause trouble,’ but also insists he still believes in a top four finish.

It has been a disastrous couple of weeks for the Rossoneri, who crashed out of the Champions League play-offs to Feyenoord and are now plummeting down to eighth place in Serie A.

Leao had run onto the Santiago Gimenez flick from a long Mike Maignan ball to give Milan the lead at the Stadio Dall’Ara in this evening’s rescheduled Week 9 fixture, but they were turned around to lose 2-1 by Santiago Castro and Dan Ndoye tap-ins.

Leao frustrated at Milan fumble

“I thought we had the game in our hands. Our objective was to win and climb the table, I feel we are to blame today, but this is how things are going,” Leao told DAZN.

“We need to lift our heads, stick together, there is a big game against Lazio that we need to win on home turf. Clearly, we are disappointed, especially with the strange way we conceded the two goals, I’d best not talk about that or it might cause trouble…”

This was a reference to the Castro equaliser, as the ball had bounced off the arm of Giovanni Fabbian to set up the tap-in, but VAR evaluated and considered it to be in a natural position.

“The first goal was rather strange, I saw the footage. Anyway, we need to look at ourselves, the first half was fabulous and we should’ve continued like that. Now there is a very important match coming up, we hope the fans will be right behind us to pick up the three points.”

Lazio are in fifth place, so is this the last chance saloon for Milan and their hopes of a Champions League spot?

“No, every game from now to the end of the season must be treated as a final,” replied Leao.

“I still believe, obviously, as there are many games to play and Serie A is becoming very difficult with everyone able to drop points. We have to do our job and win.”