Among the news that emerged from Milanello yesterday was that the absence of players was down to an instruction from the head coach Paulo Fonseca, who has granted the team a few days off.
As Corriere dello Sport (via MilanNews) report this morning, the arrival of the international break brings the hope that the right solutions can be found to help remedy the defects exposed in a bad start to the season.
Given the absence of a large part of the starting group, after the sessions at Milanello on Tuesday and Wednesday after Lazio Fonseca granted the team four days of rest, which began yesterday. The resumption of training is scheduled for Monday, when the game on Saturday 14th against Venezia will be in focus.
It is a ‘rather curious choice’ in the eyes of the paper, but in a certain sense also inevitable considering the physical, mental and results-related difficulties that Milan are going through. So Fonseca has chosen a bit of a rest – both physical and mental – for his players, preferring it to the intense work in training and hoping it refreshes everyone.
Among the reasons is also undoubtedly the absence of the 11 first team players called up to their respective national teams: Theo Hernandez, Mike Maignan, Youssouf Fofana, Rafael Leao, Tijjani Reijnders, Ismael Bennacer, Luka Jovic, Strahinja Pavlovic, Yunus Musah, Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze.
If the idea previously might have been to fill the gaps left with players from Milan Futuro, there are seven of Daniele Bonera’s side that are away with U19 teams: Francesco Camarda, Davide Bartesaghi, Kevin Zeroli, Lorenzo Torriani, Mattia Liberali, Noah Raveyre and Hugo Cuenca.
Nonetheless, Morata returned to running on the Milanello field yesterday to anticipate his return, while the likes of Davide Calabria, Emerson Royal, Fikayo Tomori, Malick Thiaw, Matteo Gabbia and Filippo Terracciano are all available.
That is a large part of the defensive department, which has come under fire the most during the first three games of the season and could have used the time to build a further understanding and work on some of the flaws.
The fact is that no coach knows his team better than the coach himself and pulling the plug, in some cases, can also be the wisest option, even if in the end only the pitch will provide the answers.
Might as well give them the season off. Not like there fighting for anything
There are times when the issue is mental. Giving them time off to clear their heads may be a good idea.
Also everyone should chill.
Did they get any homework?
They rest because they play great and dont need training to improve how play better together. What a joke we have at club now
Another poor decision… given the problem is mental, lack of team spirit, low motivation, he should have called them in for a couple hours, short easy trainings, maybe 3 on 3 tournament for fun, then playstation, swimming pool, sauna… guys spending time together getting to know eachother, fetting comfortable with eachother… also motivation and teambuilding workshops wouldnt hurt
Well, both the coach’s poor decision like you said and the team’s poor performance so far, have been made to look very good by your comment.
I agree it sounds like a reward, but i work with people and ill tell you right now, whip doesnt work, punishment wont work… only thing you can do is to clear their heads and hope to become friends
They’ve been together and probably doing all of that during that time.. results? Zero wins. Maybe playing PlayStation and swimming pool with there families will be more relaxing and helpful. I don’t see offering day off to people being punishment.
Theyre off to florence to attend a bbq at adlis new gaff
Gabbia is really putting in the work, still wondering why he is being overlooked by the coach, he might be the answer to the defensive weakness
So many Doomers in here.
Inter had 12 league losses two seasons back and still finished the season in 3rd place.
If Milan can get their defense sorted, then a 5 point gap is easily offset, especially when we haven’t faced our rivals in H2H yet.