Tuttosport: Allegri Targets Leao to Rival Juventus Legends Tevez, Higuain, Dybala

Massimiliano Allegri is focusing on elevating Rafael Leao’s performance, aiming for him to become a key striker for Juventus. Recent matches, including a notable performance against Fiorentina on October 19th and another goal against Pisa, demonstrate Leao’s potential and improvement. The upcoming match against Atalanta will be crucial, as Leao aims to score in three consecutive league games for the first time since April 2024.

Allegri’s Strategy for Leao

Allegri and Leao have built a strong rapport. Their relationship developed during summer training sessions, where mutual respect was key. Allegri pushed Leao to take on more responsibility, and Leao has responded positively, adapting to Allegri’s guidance. His use as a striker during friendlies yielded encouraging results, evidenced by his goal in the Coppa Italia against Bari in mid-August. However, an injury sidelined Leao for over a month, impacting his performance.

Leao’s Goal Scoring Challenges

Leao’s career best came during the 2022-23 season, where he netted 16 goals, with 15 in the league. Despite his talent, he has struggled to surpass 10 league goals in the past two seasons, scoring nine in 2023-24 and eight in 2024-25. This scoring rate is below Allegri’s expectations, as the coach prefers strikers who can consistently find the net.

Historical Context of Juventus Scorers

• Over the past decade, teams winning the Scudetto typically featured a striker scoring around 20 goals.
• Only twice have champions not had significant contributions from their centre-forwards:
• Milan in 2021-22 (11 goals from Giroud).
• Napoli in 2024-25 (14 goals from Lukaku).

Allegri’s Expectations for Leao

Allegri has expressed optimism regarding Leao’s scoring capabilities, suggesting he could reach 15-20 league goals this season. The coach emphasizes the need for Leao to improve his finishing, especially inside the box, where he has missed important opportunities. While he excels in shooting from outside the box, his productivity in crucial scoring situations requires enhancement.

As Juventus aspires to reclaim its historic dominance, Leao’s development into a prolific striker could be pivotal. His ability to adapt and grow will determine his place in the squad alongside Juventus legends like Tevez, Higuain, and Dybala.