Nelson Dida believes that Paulo Fonseca deserves to be given time as the new AC Milan head coach, while he also feels that having Zlatan Ibrahimovic back at the club represents a guarantee.
It would be fair to say that there is not the calmest atmosphere surrounding Milan at the moment after a start to the season which has seen them draw two and lose one, making them winless through three games and already five points adrift of Inter and Juventus.
There is pressure on Fonseca to engineer a turnaround but also the players to show that they are capable of at least fighting for the Scudetto, after another summer transfer window in which signings arrived and there were no big sales.
Dida spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about the current state of the Rossoneri and the difficult start to the season that they have had, with his comments relayed by Calciomercato.com.
What do you think of the results so far in Serie A?
“I’ve been following AC Milan in particular, but I think Inter are still the favourites for the Scudetto because they have a quality squad and staff. They’ve focused on continuity, improving where possible.”
And your AC Milan?
“It seems to me that they’ve tried to take the best players based on the project and the new coach’s requests. Fonseca has just arrived, he obviously needs time.
“He’ll have to work a little more because it’s one thing to win all the summer friendlies and another to aim to do important things in the league and in the Champions League. We all need to have a little patience.”
There is an ongoing debate about Fonseca and his compatibility with Serie A, despite having already been at the helm of Roma…
“He is an intelligent coach. Fonseca knows the league well. Working at Milan requires something more, because it is a more important team than his previous ones. And this can weigh a bit.
“But the important thing is that he remains calm, tranquil and continues to work on what he has in mind. And with confidence in his players he can have a good season.”
Can it help that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in the club?
“Certainly. Zlatan represents Milan well, he knows everything about it. We know he is passionate about this club. Ibrahimovic never wants to lose, so thanks to his presence, in the dressing room and in contact with the staff, there is the guarantee that Milan must always aim to win.”
Of Milan’s new signings, who intrigues you?
“I’m intrigued by Morata, who is not a player like Ibrahimovic who always scores goals, but who still has technical quality to demonstrate.”
Another clown who think the grass is green