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LUKA MODRIC CALLS RAFAEL LEAO ELITE PLAYER, POTENTIAL YET TO PEAK

Rafael Leao's brace, including a decisive penalty, seals a comeback win for Milan against Fiorentina. The Portuguese star, in a new centre-forward role, earns high praise from teammate Luka Modric after a difficult start to the season.

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MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 19: Rafael Leao of AC Milan scores his team’s second goal from a penalty kick during the Serie A match between AC Milan and ACF Fiorentina at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Luka Modric cautions that his AC Milan teammate "is one of the finest in the world and can still grow," but Rafael Leao believes the "team emerged" after breaking the impasse to turn Fiorentina around.

Playing in an odd centre-forward role, this was the Portugal international's first Serie A start of the season after he struggled since suffering a calf ailment in early August.

At San Siro, Robin Gosens had given the Viola the lead, but Leao scored from a distance and then converted the game-winning penalty following a VAR review of Fabiano Parisi's tug on Santiago Gimenez.

It was noteworthy that, despite Leao's poor penalty-scoring record, it was his first time wearing the Milan jersey.

Leao saves the day for AC Milan


Even though Fiorentina is struggling, Leao said DAZN Italia, "we knew this would be a difficult match since they have quality players like Moise Kean who can hurt us."

It was challenging, and we did not create many opportunities, but as soon as we broke the impasse, the team came out on top.

"Modric hugged me and said he wanted to help me when he got to Milan. Playing with him is fantastic, and I hope he can provide me with a lot of assists.

When celebrating the penalty, there was an odd moment when Leao attempted to remove his shirt but was stopped by Matteo Gabbia, who saved him from receiving a yellow card.

"I dedicate my objective to my teammates and family, who have supported me and helped me stay positive in the locker room." We can accomplish big things this season if we keep going in this direction, both individually and collectively," Leao continued.

With the win, Milan has taken advantage of Napoli, Roma, and Juventus' losses this weekend to take the lead in Serie A with 16 points.

It is especially noteworthy in light of the severe injury problem that has prevented Christian Pulisic, Christopher Nkunku, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Adrien Rabiot, Pervis Estupinan, and Ardon Jashari from playing.

"Rafa is very incredible. I was excited to play with him; sadly, he had an injury very quickly, but he is currently recovering. We need this Rafa," Modric said to DAZN Italia.

He has a tremendous talent; I used to watch him play from a distance, and now that I work out with him, I can tell he is among the world's top players. The amazing thing is that, with enough effort, he can still get better. We will rely heavily on him; therefore, I hope that these two objectives will help him gain confidence and become our main man. Tonight, he demonstrated why.

For the first time since Week 8 of the 2023–24 season, Milan is now leading the table.

We must now focus on each game as it comes because we are developing and have demonstrated our character and quality. Even though we still have a ways to go, we are headed in the right direction and will be even more formidable when some players return from injury.

GUARDIOLA TIPS HAT TO DYCHE: ‘HE’S AMONG THE VERY BEST’

Pep Guardiola hails new Forest boss Sean Dyche as "the best" at set-pieces, noting the trend isn't new. He also revealed that Man City has struggled with dead-ball situations this season compared to rivals like Arsenal.

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Pep Guardiola shaking hands with Sean Dyche - COURTESY/PHOTO

According to Pep Guardiola, Nottingham Forest has one of the best representatives of the new fascination in football at their disposal.

Although Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, and their ability to score goals from set pieces are admired by the football community, Guardiola has reminded everyone that the idea is not particularly new.

As demonstrated during his tenure as Burnley's manager from 2012 to 2012, he did, in fact, hail incoming Forest manager Sean Dyche as "one of the greatest."

The 54-year-old guided the Clarets into the Premier League and kept them there for six seasons before exiting Turf Moor.

Forest, who have only won one league game so far and are now in third place, can now access that knowledge.

Man City boss Guardiola said, “It’s true that people utilise every throw-in like a corner and put 10 players there in the box.

"Every move (Michael) Kayode made in the box caused us to suffer when we played at Brentford or watched Brentford play Liverpool in our hotel. Additionally, Kayode was the match's man.

“Today, set pieces are a menace. I recall being in Burnley a long time ago with Sean Dyche. Burnley posed a serious threat in the second and long balls.

"Dyche is by far the finest at these kinds of things. He has already done it; therefore, it is not fresh.

Or Sam Allardyce. Or I recall Stoke City when I was not here. Do you recall the throws made by Stoke City?

Maybe Stoke was the anomaly back then, but more and more teams are doing that now.

"I recall that Arsene Wenger mentioned playing at Stoke City while I was at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but these days it happens frequently.

It may have happened (only) at Burnley or not at all when I got there, but it is a fact now. You must also pay attention. I still want to play, though.

This season, Arsenal has already scored nine league goals from set pieces, five from open play, and two from penalties.

With eight (plus eight from open play and one penalty), Chelsea is not far behind.

On the other end of the scale, though, are Forest and Man City. While City has scored 12 goals from open play, three more on the counterattack, and two own goals, they have yet to score from a set piece. The Reds have scored two of their five goals from restarts.

"Every manager does what they think," Guardiola stated. I am not ignorant of the fact that I want to score from corners and free kicks. I desire it. However, I dedicate my time to what we need to do to improve our play, attack, and generate opportunities. to score goals.

I pay attention, of course, but I am aware that I am not the manager to try to; I have done that my entire career. When things became rough at Burnley, I recall that we gave up maybe one corner, if any, as the second balls were under our control. That is the most effective method of defending these games.

However, you need to be strong in many areas for that, and we are working on it. I will keep working mostly on our game till the very end. And occasionally, as necessary, adjust.

At Brentford, we performed quite well. James, the French set-piece coach, did a fantastic job of enticing our guys into defending these kinds of acts. The same was true at Arsenal: it was amazing. We did not control the game against Arsenal; therefore, we gave up a lot of corners.

NAPOLI TAKE THREE-POINT LEAD AFTER CLOSE WIN AGAINST LECCE

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa's header secured a 1-0 win for Napoli over Lecce, moving them top of Serie A. The victory was sealed after Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saved a Francesco Camarda penalty.

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Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa celebrates scoring - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa scored another goal to give Napoli a narrow victory over Lecce, although Vanja Milinkovic-Savic also saved a penalty kick from Francesco Camarda.

The thrilling 3-1 victory against Inter put the Partenopei back atop the league, but it came at a price: Kevin De Bruyne will miss several months of action due to a significant thigh strain. Rasmus Hojlund and Amir Rrahmani returned to the bench, but Stanislav Lobotka, Alex Meret, and Romelu Lukaku remained on the treatment table. Leonardo Spinazzola and Scott McTominay were rested, and the 4-3-3 formation was reinstated. Following the 3-2 loss to Udinese, Lecce was without Gaby Jean, Filip Marchwinski, Matias Perez, and Riccardo Sottil.

Billy Gilmour's attempt was deflected wide as Napoli wore their special edition Halloween uniform, but Lorenzo Lucca unintentionally charged down a Matteo Politano strike that was on target.

On the Matias Olivera pull-back, Politano turned over from six yards out, while Medon Berisha also threatened by drilling wide from the area's edge.

Olivera had been put clear by a clever Gilmour first-touch lay-off, but Wladimiro Falcone made a fantastic stop with his legs at the near post.

On the cusp of halftime, Francesco Camarda's chest and half-volley was inches wide, yet it would not have been considered handball.

Moments after the restart, Noa Lang added to the growing list of Napoli players out after hobbling off with a hit to the thigh just above the left knee.

Lucca sprinted onto a long ball that Falcone hurried out to nod clear, and Politano's follow-up was charged down with the goalie off his line, creating a double chance to open the score.

After a VAR review, the Lecce penalty was given because Kialonda Gaspar's header on a corner seemed to hit Juan Jesus' hand, which bent back on impact. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who has saved five of the past nine Serie A penalties faced, demonstrated his expertise by parrying the spot-kick when Camarda stepped up.

Hojlund made his comeback from injury, with McTominay and Leonardo Spinazzola reinforcing the team off the bench for the final half-hour.

It paid off, as a free kick from David Neres was glanced into the far top corner off the head of Anguissa from six yards out, giving Napoli the lead.

Nikola Stulic was too slow to capitalise on a Danilo Veiga pull-back, Elmas shot wide, and Hojlund missed the Neres assist in stoppages.

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