Under-fire Leonardo receives Milan backing

AC Milan coach Leonardo received a boost to his hopes of maintaining his post next season when both management and fans spoke out in support of him.

Leonardo attended the Youth Cup final as Milan beat Palermo 2-0 on Wednesday night and was afforded a rousing reception by the club’s fans.

And vice-president Adriano Galliani gave the Brazilian his backing too.

“I repeat that Leonardo has another year on his contract with us, right now we’re concentrating on the championship,” said Galliani.

Leonardo has been under pressure with rumours he will be given the boot at the end of the season after an inconsistent campaign.

Milan are third in Serie A, four points behind leaders AS Roma with five games to play but they have missed many opportunities to capitalise on champions Inter Milan’s stumbling form.

Milan were second for most of the season and despite Inter winning only three of their last 11 matches, it is Roma and not Milan who have taken the bull by the horns.

In fact, Milan have drawn their last three home games and wins in those would have seen them two points clear at the top.

It’s not the first time they’ve missed an opportunity, having lost at home to Palermo in December when they could have closed right in on Inter.

Likewise in January when they had a chance to go top, they lost 2-0 against Inter, despite their opponents playing more than an hour with a numerical disadvantage, and followed that up with draws against minnows Livorno and Bologna.

In the meantime, Roma were embarking on a 23-match unbeaten run in the league and have overturned a 14-point deficit to Inter in November into a one-point lead.