AC Milan stars Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez were involved in some controversy this weekend when the duo did not involve themselves in Paulo Fonseca’s mini team-talk during a cooling break. Today, a report has suggested what the internal aftermath looked like.
Before this weekend’s clash against Lazio, reports suggested that Leao and Theo were going to be left out of the starting eleven by Fonseca. Therefore, it was only right that the duo were involved in the equaliser and some controversy when the game rolled around.
Shortly after the duo came on, the Portuguese head coach took the chance to get the team together during a cooling break, but there were two notable absences – of course, the two players who had been dropped.
Their absence was easily picked up by TV cameras, and from there, questions arose about the reason for their absence. Milan fans quickly questioned an internal separation between the stars and the new coach, and whilst the defender was quick to suggest why the duo were not present, it did not quieten the noise.
After all, an image like that is damning. Even if there is no malice intended by either player.
Initial aftermath
As Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) writes, the duo can no longer make mistakes with their attitudes or behaviour. Whilst the issue will not be forgotten, if they return from international duty with the right attitude to make amends, a line will be drawn under the incident.
The report continues, stating that neither player were aware of the ‘uproar the affair’ had created when speaking to Fonseca and Geoffrey Moncada after the game. Both also ‘regretted’ their behaviour – it was not a protest, but rather a sign of their readiness to continue helping the team.
This is why Theo was so eager to speak to Milan TV after the game, to try and stop a fire spreading, caused by a mistake.
The call from Ibrahimovic
Before any communication in front of the cameras, though, there had been immediate clarification in the dressing room, and this is why neither player has been fined by the Rossoneri. However, there were stern words said.
Whilst not present at the Olimpico on Saturday, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was tracking the game, and he made ‘his voice heard’ to the duo once the issue was resolved, likely to let each player know what would happen if similar occurred again.
Redemption
The immediate question is when will the duo redeem themselves. They have the ability to do it individually. They have the ability to spur the team on, and now they must do so, and do it quickly.
Most importantly, the Diavolo will not view this as a long-term issue, and talks will not be ‘blocked’ as Gazzetta suggests. In fact, talks will resume in the coming weeks with a new set of meetings between the club, Theo, and his entourage.
Whilst it has helped slightly, the fire is still lit, and further aggravation could be dangerous.
“likely to let each player know what would happen if similar occurred again.”
What does this mean?
They will be fined, sent to the reserves, sold?
Any of those scenarios just plays into the players hands as they push for an exit.
How did we get to this point?
A once stable team with great team spirit is now fractured. Another bunch of ill-considered signings arrive.
2 years ago we were on the verge of something great, it all seems in tatters now
We have such an exemplary management. Legend Paolo Maldini comes back to win a Scudetto after years of hell? Fired. Life long fan Tonali gives everything for the team? Sold. Pioli ends the season at 2nd despite injuries and management explicitly claiming that Milan competes for top 4? Fired. Scaroni? “I’ll pack Leao’s bags”. Cardinale? “We are a monetization engine”. Zlatan? “We think about the third star”. Then the coach is Fonseca and Mister X is Morata. Season pass increased by 19%. These guys show no respect to the legends, top players and fans of the club but we should expect the players to be role models and we should continue to support that disastrous cheap policy with our money. Now it’s like Trump saying “get that son of a b* off the field right now”. Entertainment and greed at its finest but what could go wrong…
Yeah it’s a sad and scary situation!
It’s not like fans expected them to spend fortunes, our expectations have become minimal.
But some of the unnecessary turnover in squad members and the signing of complete trash that doesn’t suit the system is just baffling.
I see V. Oshimen is going to Glatasaray!!
These are the factors that have splintered the team, excellent points. My favourite part of this article; “Whilst not present at the Olimpico on Saturday, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was tracking the game….” Maldini and Massara never missed a game, just saying.
you remember also when Maldini said that Scaroni was very eager to leave the stadium if things were going badly on the filed as though he had some place better to be? he hardly stayed till the end of matches and preferred the limelight instead when trophies were won. Maldini keenly observed matches, training and all. they on the other hand await the analysis of data collected from boots and body suits. nuff said!
Hard to disagree with much of what you said but I do agree with the Morata signing.
He’s no Papin, Shevchenko or Pato. I think he’ll be ok and I hope he’ll be a leader, though I didn’t like his dive in the penalty box, but not much of an improvement over Giroud. Milan was expected to find the next great striker in a long tradition. It’s just delayed, as usual, cheap promises and speculation.
I’ll never ask for the owners to spend money they don’t have.
And in fact the less money we have the more focused we need to be in the transfer market and THAT is my single biggest gripe.
Morata works for our budget and I’d have preferred if they had spent every penny they had on a DM/Midfield General/Plug that hole/Take back control of our midfield.
But you’re right, we were so close to getting back to the top and we’ve blown it.
Spot on
It started when Gerry the clown fired Maldini and Masara and replaced them with his yes man Furlani. After that everything are falling apart.
110%. But Maldini is no yes-man, quit the contrary, he thinks of the club.
Dont worry about the renewals Zlatan says.
What Zlatan doesn’t say is Fonseca will be the guy who makes the stars leave. What star would want to play for this Milan? ( Morata is no star)
Unless some major losing happens,
get used to both of them and the starting lineup vs Lazio.
At least a regular circus has a ringmaster. This circus is run by the clowns.