LEÃO IS THE MVP FROM AC MILAN v ATALANTA

Two minutes and 26 seconds. That's all Rafael Leão needed to get on the scoresheet in AC Milan v Atalanta. It was an explosive entrance, one of Rafa's best goals in his five years with the Rossoneri, and a goal that crowns the number 10 as the undeniable MVP on matchday 26 in Serie A. The fans had no doubt in voting for their star performer on the AC Milan Official App, who came ahead of Adli, Gabbia and Hernández.

It was a masterpiece, created by dribbling past Holm and Scalvini before firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner with his right. Coach Pioli described it afterwards as a "sensational" goal, allowing Rafa to equal a former Rossoneri player's record, Manuel Rui Costa, to become the second-highest Portuguese goalscorer in the history of Serie A. It was goal number 42 in the league wearing an AC Milan shirt, and his first since last September, and one that breaks an unwanted drought despite producing plenty of good things this season.

We spoke about the 146 seconds it took Leão to break the deadlock at San Siro. This is AC Milan's fastest goal in Serie A since 13 November 2022, when Rafa himself opened the scoring - after just 1 min 28 secs - in AC Milan v Fiorentina. The Rossoneri number 10 is no stranger to lightning-quick goals, as seen by the fastest goal ever in the history of Serie A, scored in Reggio Emilia in December 2020. It would be amiss, however, to reduce Leão's performance against Atalanta to just the goal that made it 1-0.

Out of the Rossoneri players, Rafa attempted the most number of crosses (eight) and was involved in the most duels (16, of which eleven were won). Also important are the figures on successful dribbles (six), and the four fouls on him, highlighting the constant threat he showed to the Atalanta defence. These are numbers of a star performer for one of the Rossoneri's best individual performances all season. Well done, Rafa!

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