Fonseca: Milan ‘more important’ as Rafael Leao benched | OneFootball

Milan coach Paulo Fonseca insists the ‘team is more important’ after Rafael Leao spent the whole Udinese game on the bench on Saturday.

The Rossoneri won 1-0 over Udinese at San Siro on Saturday, but Leao remained on the bench for the entire match for technical reasons.

“Perhaps it’s strange for you not to see Rafa, but this must be the norm. It’s unusual to see Leao on the bench, but it’s normal for me to say that the team is more important,” Fonseca explained at a post-match press conference, as quoted by Milannews.

Fonseca: Milan ‘more important’ as Rafael Leao benched

Milan coach Paulo Fonseca (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Milan is more important than some players. I decided to play Okafor and Chukwueze; perhaps it will be Leao’s turn tomorrow. Let’s not create a case because there isn’t. Leao was respectful and satisfied in the dressing room; this is the most important thing to me. We are preparing for the following games, and perhaps Leao will return to playing.”

Fonseca’s choices ultimately paid off as Chukwueze scored the winner in the first half.

Milan host Club Brugge at San Siro on Tuesday in a must-win Champions League game, and Fonseca insisted that the Rossoneri will need Leao.

“He must prepare well because we need Rafa,” said the Portuguese.

Leao has one goal and four assists in nine appearances across all competitions this season.

During the international break in October, he said that he felt “everyone’s trust” when playing for the Portugal national team, but Italian media claimed Fonseca and Milan didn’t feel “attacked” by the striker’s claims.

Leao’s contract at San Siro, which includes a €175m clause, expires in June 2028.