GdS: ‘Theao’ and ‘Magic Mike’ – how the ‘old Milan’ resurfaced ahead of the final

SempreMilan

·7 May 2025

GdS: ‘Theao’ and ‘Magic Mike’ – how the ‘old Milan’ resurfaced ahead of the final

AC Milan’s leaders have stepped up in recent games, and in view of the Coppa Italia there is a feeling of the ‘good old days’.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) report, Milan’s left flank seems to have clicked again, or rather Theo Hernandez keeps up a standard speed, nothing exceptional but still better than when he was proceeding slowly, while Rafael Leao is like a rocket.

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Two nights ago he was sitting on the bench at Marassi and once he entered the field he scored the equaliser and was decisive in the winning goal. He has thus become one of the three players with at least eight goals and as many assists in the league, together with his teammate Christian Pulisic.

Something must have changed recently: Rafa himself has been involved in five goals (three goals, two assists) in his last six away appearances in Serie A. The curious thing is that it all happens away from San Siro and for Milan it is still a comforting fact.

The Portuguese will be suspended for the next home game against Bologna, third-to-last in Serie A, but he will be available at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome five days later in the Coppa Italia final. As a starter and rested.

Theo’s late-season surge

Theo Hernandez is third among Milan players for minutes played. It means that despite everything, the mistakes and distractions, he has remained irreplaceable, and the choice is paying off for Conceiçao: Theo is more attentive, more responsible, more gritty.

Even against Genoa he seemed brighter and created danger. What counts is the will, and other opportunities will soon arrive. The new module has relaunched him: less defensive tasks – behind him the opponents crash into Strahinja Pavlovic – and more freedom to get forward.

The three-man defence allows him to base himself a few meters further forward and to see more clearly what is happening in the area. However, it does not seem to be just a tactical question: the system has restored solidity to the team in all aspects.

Milan are more balanced, less exposed to danger, and more oriented towards attack, but also more united, as demonstrated by the huddle of players called by the coach after the victory in Genoa. The results have helped to rediscover enthusiasm.

Magic Mike

This can also be perceived from the social exchanges between the protagonists. With an Instagram story Pulisic wanted to thank Maignan for that miraculous save that stopped an own goal. It was the best save of the evening, but not the only one.

Maignan made stops to deny Norton-Cuffy and ex-Milan man Messias. They are links in a chain of saves that is becoming longer and more decisive for the fate of the team. With Rafa and Theo, Rossoneri since 2019, Maignan is the third leader.

Having arrived two summers after them, he was huge in the Scudetto win in his first season. On the field, he continues to move up to the centre of the field to order the movements on free-kicks or to arrange his teammates on set pieces. In short, much more than a goalkeeper.

The earn a future

The ‘old Milan’ has reappeared at the right time, just a few days before a final that can award the second trophy of the season. The old players also want to be part of the new course.

Theo and Maignan are playing for their place and the renewal of their contract, given they are on deals that expire in 2026. Leao is looking for a different signature, more specifically a historic goal to write himself in history.

He won the Scudetto, allowing the afternoon in Reggio Emilia against Sassuolo to be autographed by Giroud and Kessie. And in the Supercoppa Italiana final he set up Abraham to score. He is looking for a goal of his own, an engraving to write Milan on the cup.