AC Milan returned to winning ways on Saturday night, beating Udinese 1-0, and the performance was much closer to what Paulo Fonseca wants to see, and it has been suggested that he has now turned a corner.
Whilst the scoreline may not have been flattering, Milan left the game feeling like they had a result that they had earned. It goes beyond this, though. As Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) writes this morning, Fonseca is especially pleased because the team played in his way.
Despite being a man down for more than an hour, the Rossoneri kept fighting for each other, and the Portuguese head coach liked the spirit of the team above everything else – a victory ‘achieved by sacrifices’.
Other coaches may have considered tactical changes, but this was not the case for Fonseca. Instead, he made player changes, proving that his words about the players’ status meant something.
For the second time this season, the Rossoneri have been offered a turning point. After beating Inter, they failed to make the result a turning point of the season, but with a ‘character’ relaunch against Udinese, Milan have a chance to move onwards and upwards.
Fonseca now sees the group above everyone, and if the decision is right for the team, he will make it. Individuals will not be considered. Of course, Rafael Leao and Co. will have an opportunity to bring themselves back into the squad, but they have been given a warning.
A little bit too much is made of the first game since the international break which happened to be at home against a sitting duck.
Plus in this game, one of the usual suspects was unavailable anyways.
Wether positively or negatively, more time should be given to judge Fonseca but the game against Brugges will be crucial though. If we fail to win against Brugges, many people have to be held accountable.
Considering Udinese were flying high, playing with 10 men for most of the game with Theo & Leao absent , I would say it was a good result for Fonseca.
The coach needs wins tomorrow and against Bologna but the matches will be tricky , with the pressure on us .
Time is needed to see if the team can consistently be solid and bring results, we will see, but Fonseca has already made ballsy moves that will benefit the team in the long run whether he gets the axe or not.