Will Joao Felix help Rafael Leao ‘get out of his comfort zone’ at Milan? | OneFootball

Joao Felix has made an instant impact at Milan, scoring on his debut in a Coppa Italia game against Roma, and Gazzetta argues that the Portuguese could either help Rafael Leao get out of his comfort zone or push him to the bench.

Milan beat Roma 3-1 at the Stadio Meazza on Wednesday to secure a spot in the Coppa Italia semifinals.

Leao didn’t start the game as he was not fully fit, so he was introduced for the final 20 minutes. Milan coach Sergio Conceiçao admitted he was not entirely satisfied with Leao’s contribution after his involvement.

“I realise it’s not easy for him to get out of his comfort zone, doing the work that people don’t pay much attention to, but it is essential for me,” said the Portuguese coach.

“He can become a player of another level if he takes on board the things we are talking about and working with him on every single day.”

Will Joao Felix help Rafael Leao ‘get out of his comfort zone’ at Milan?

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Joao Felix of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Coppa Italia Quarter Final match between AC Milan and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 05, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Conceiçao picked Alex Jimenez as a left winger against the Giallorossi, while Leao’s compatriot Joao Felix debuted at minute 59 and scored his first Milan goal barely ten minutes later.

Even though Leao and Felix played together against Roma, Gazzetta highlights that Conceiçao could also deploy the Chelsea loanee on the left wing in the second half of the season, giving Leao more competition for a starting spot.

As the Milan coach already said, he’ll be pushing Leao to leave his comfort zone and the addition of Joao Felix could help the Rossoneri star to make a further step forward, which Stefano Pioli and Paulo Fonseca had previously demanded.

The risk for Leao is that he may be relegated to the bench if Conceiçao sees a better attitude from his compatriot and if Joao Felix proves to be more functional in his playing style.

Leao has made 20 appearances, scoring four goals, all in away matches, and providing five assists, averaging a goal involvement every 180 minutes.