Leao jeered off and heads straight down the tunnel as difficult moment continues

Among the various sub-plots during Sunday evening’s 3-3 draw with Genoa was the performance of Rafael Leao, who left the field to jeers.

As Calciomercato.com recall, the Curva Sud – after unconditional support throughout a season that will yield nothing to celebrate in terms of trophies – decided to express its disappointment by remaining silent for 80 minutes, when they then left the stadium.

Both the team and the club are in the crosshairs, and certain players more than others. At the moment where Leao was brought off after Genoa made it 2-1, the winger lowered his head and headed towards the changing rooms without staying on the bench.

He was accompanied by jeers from most of the fans. Not overwhelming, but they were certainly audible, and it once again proves that for better or for worse Leão is always at the centre of attention.

Now opponents seem to constantly double team him to limit him, and when he is unable to impact the game in the way that he would want Leao feels bad about it and has to process the boos in silence.

Against Genoa Leao continued the negative trend of the last month: lazy when not in possession of the ball and practically non-existent in the attacking phase. In general, his entire season so far has certainly been below potential.

He has 13 goals and 13 assists in 44 games which are not awful numbers, but they vitiate the overall judgment on a growth path that has suffered a sharp slowdown in terms of quality and consistency of performances.

At the age of 25 (which he will turn in just over a month) he still cannot justify these ups and downs. Leao is at the right age to decide to become a champion. He has the technical and athletic means to succeed, but only he can take that next step.