Rafael Leao kept AC Milan on top of Serie A with the decisive goal against Cagliari, while also setting higher personal scoring targets as the club focus on the Scudetto, their final opportunity to secure silverware in the 2025-26 season after exits in the Supercoppa Italiana and Coppa Italia.
The 1-0 victory on Friday moved Milan to first place in the Italian top-flight, although Inter can overtake them again by beating Bologna on Sunday. Leao struck the winner despite not being fully fit, underlining Milan’s reliance on the Portuguese forward during a tight title race.
Leao has already scored six league goals this season and is targeting more, helped by a tactical shift that places Leao closer to goal. The approach reflects Milan’s need for extra scoring support as they chase the Serie A title, with the club’s objectives clear within the dressing room.
Leao explained the mindset driving this run of form after the Cagliari win. “I feel that if I have two or three scoring opportunities, I have to score two goals. The coach is putting me closer to the net, I need to sense the goal more, and also thank the squad for putting me in a condition to score. We have objectives, but theres a long way to go. The team all know what the objective of the club is, we are Milan and must try to win important trophies.”
Since arriving for the 2019-20 campaign, Leao has become one of Serie A’s consistent scorers. Leao is one of just three players who have recorded more than five goals in each of the last seven league seasons, alongside Lautaro Martinez and Riccardo Orsolini, highlighting steady attacking production.
Leao’s best domestic scoring return came in 2022-23, when Leao hit 15 Serie A goals. This season, Leao is often positioned in more advanced central areas, which increases involvement inside the penalty area. That change supports Leao’s ambition to exceed previous tallies while Milan chase the Scudetto.
The team is in a good period of form and were happy, Leao told Sky Sport Italia. That mood reflects Milan’s strong response following disappointment in the domestic cups. The focus has shifted fully to the league campaign, where every narrow win, such as the Cagliari result, carries extra weight.
Rafael Leao AC Milan Serie A title role under Allegri
The Cagliari match also marked a personal milestone for Massimiliano Allegri, who reached 150 Serie A games in charge of Milan and moved to 1050 points in the Italian top-flight as a coach. Allegri sees Leao’s position as central to both Milan’s attack and the title push.
Allegri highlighted how Leao’s role can vary depending on where Leao lines up during games. “When Leao plays on the left, he can occasionally fall asleep and drop out of the game, said Allegri. He has the characteristics to do well in the centre, but he wasnt 100 per cent fit today and didnt attack the space in the right way during the first half. Nonetheless, hes scored six Serie A goals this season, despite missing quite a few games through injury.”
Those comments underline Allegri’s belief that Leao can influence matches more as a central striker, even while managing fitness issues. With Milan out of both domestic cup competitions, the partnership between Allegri’s tactical plans and Leao’s scoring goals will be crucial as the club chase the Serie A title over the remainder of 2025-26.