Reports Leao set to be dropped for Napoli vs. Milan: Triple-Double | OneFootball

Multiple outlets in Italy claim that Rafael Leao is set to start from the bench for Milan’s upcoming Serie A match away against Napoli on Sunday, which will be the 10th time that has happened in 2024-25.

Leao set to be dropped for Napoli vs. Milan

According to the likes of Sky and La Gazzetta dello Sport, Conceicao is set to leave Leao among the substitutes and field his compatriot Joao Felix as a starter against Antonio Conte’s title-chasing Partenopei.

Rafael Leao reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between AC Milan and Feyenoord at San Siro Stadium on February 18, 2025 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The team that Conceicao tested in Milan’s final training session before Napoli included Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Warren Bondo alongside Tijjani Reijnders in midfield, with Joao Felix and Christian Pulisic supporting Tammy Abraham in attack.

If that same team takes to the field against Napoli on Sunday, it will be the 10th time across all competitions that Leao has been left on the bench, not including games where he was unavailable through injury.

It also means that he is on for a bizarre ‘triple-double’ stat-line, given that he has 10 goals, nine assists and nine starts from the bench so far in 2024-25.