Leao calls for AC Milan unity after Como draw
Rafael Leao urged AC Milan's supporters to stick with their side after it was held to a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Como.
Nico Paz capitalised on a woeful Mike Maignan mistake just past the half-hour mark, only for Leao to lob Jean Butez and equalise in the second half.
The draw leaves Milan in second place and seven points behind Serie A leader Inter, despite Massimiliano Allegri's side making it 24 games unbeaten in the competition.
Leao acknowledged Milan needed to perform better against Cesc Fabregas' side at San Siro, but he also called for them to remain united.
"It was a match we should have won," the Milan forward said. "We played much better than in the last game against them. We had more possession, but in the first half, we could have been more decisive in front of goal.
"We conceded the goal and then continued to play, but in the second half, we should have been more determined with the final cross.
"This is an important moment in the season, and I ask the fans to all be united."
Leao has scored eight goals in 18 Serie A appearances this season, already equalling his tally in the last campaign (eight goals in 34 matches).
He also has two assists this term, making him just the second player, after Lautaro Martinez, to have been involved in at least 10 goals in each of the last six Serie A campaigns.
But the Portugal international was somewhat lacking support from his Milan colleagues, who had to fight back after Maignan's mindless pass gifted Paz his ninth league goal in 2025-26.
"He's a very important person to me," Leao said of Maignan. "We played together at Lille, and he helps me every day on the pitch.
"He was an extra support; it was a difficult moment after the mistake. The group is fantastic; we have the energy to aim for great things."
Allegri's frustration seemed to boil over as he saw red with 10 minutes remaining following an altercation on the touchline.
But Leao insists Milan are remaining cool about the prospect of hunting down their rivals Inter in the Scudetto battle.
"There are so many games, Serie A is becoming very difficult," he added. "We're looking for our own games, we wanted to win today.
"Now we're trying to win the next one in a few days, and then we'll see. We're aiming to move up."
