Sky journalist Peppe Di Stefano has lifted the lid further on Paulo Fonseca’s decision not to start Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao against Lazio, and what went on during the game.
There was enough drama during the game itself as Strahinja Pavlovic put Milan one goal up early on before Taty Castellanos and Boulaye Dia responded for Lazio, putting them 2-1 up.
Rafael Leao levelled things again barely a couple of minutes after coming on along with Theo Hernandez and Tammy Abraham, but a saga has developed because of what happened during the cooling break that followed.
Di Stefano spoke on Sky the day after the game in the capital and passed on some further information on the events that took place, with his comments relayed by Radio Rossonera.
“Everyone in the dressing room agreed to downplay the problem. We mustn’t pretend nothing happened, yesterday there was a lack of respect towards the players and the coach,” he said.
“There was a clear choice. Theo explained that they had just received instructions, but at 2-2 it’s different, the game plan can change. It seems there are no fines, if you give a fine it’s as if you don’t agree with the words of Theo and Fonseca.
“That way they would ignite the case, the idea is to send it under the radar. The hope is that the temperature can drop and that after the break there can be a more serene situation. In any case it wasn’t a nice image, it’s not a Milan-worthy image.”
There has also been a fair amount of talk regarding that fact that Zlatan Ibrahimovic was not present at the game as he usually is, but the journalist believes it is not necessarily the biggest issue.
“I agree that it’s not a drama, Fonseca talks about not having problems with Theo and Leao. It’s certainly a delicate moment, the results don’t support the coach’s choices. Yesterday also the absence of Ibra, today he is now the symbol and his absence was felt.
“Milan must rebalance the team, they had to play differently and they haven’t done it yet. After the break we will understand what they want to be when they grow up.”
“Theo explained that they had just received instructions, but at 2-2 it’s different, the game plan can change. ”
Great point.
At 2-1 the instructions were probably to go balls to the wall in attack because you got nothing to lose, but at 2-2 the game plan changes.
Regardless, there is no valid explanation either one of them can give to justify their decision not to be together with their teammates in the huddle.
The explanation is leao and theo already a stars, they can make their own strategies. No need of coach.
You know, I’m always preaching here against any kind of ‘Doom & Gloom’, but I cannot when something plainly obvious unfolds under my very eyes. The signs are clear, there’s a storm of s*h*i*t coming down the road and something drastic must be made in order to avoid it.
The signs were already clear last summer. Fire a good management, promote a video scout to take care of the market, hire Zlatan for an internship at Redbird, sell Tonali, recruit donkeys, etc. Despite that miraculous 2nd place, last season was a horror show. Then Fonseca and that lousy mercato. So many scapegoats along the way that Casa Milan should be renamed the butcher house. Meanwhile the heavily paid clowns are fine.
Exactly.
Meanwhile we accumulate many many average players who we won’t be able to shift…I don’t like to judge too soon but last night Fofana looked like a headless chicken, Emerson royal we know is bad, we knew this before the signing…..we are in big trouble it seems……
💯💯💯
“Milan must rebalance the team, they had to play differently and they haven’t done it yet. After the break we will understand what they want to be when they grow up.”🤢🤢🤢🤮🤮🤮🇵🇹🇵🇹🇺🇲
In crucial match against lazio, the great director of ibra is on vacation. What a great example.
So… The players are so immature they cannot play or behave without Zlatan as their babysitter? Holy s***, it’s even worse than I thought!!!
Leao and theo know zlatan is on vacation so they can behave whatever they like. They are stars already.
Lol
Anyone would like a bet. That by the end of October Milan will have another coach. After the games against Liverpool and Inter.
I have been trying to be very positive since Redbird took over Milan and I have even supported them when they made 7 signings last season to strengthen the squad for Pioli.
But at this point it is clear that Redbird has no intention to compete for titles and this is a huge disappointment and embarrassment for me because I supported them initially when they bought the club because I believed at the time and still do that they are better owners than Roma ownership.
However, the problem is that Redbird and Cardinale wants to reinvent the wheel at Milan and this is where the problem is.
We don’t have a good management structure to run the sporting side of the club. Even under Maldini I was not satisfied because Maldini had NO EXPERIENCE as a sporting director and Maldini and Zlatan should NOT have been appointed as directors.
To fix this problem Milan need a MAJOR restructuring in management. Out with Furlani, Maldini, Moncada and Fonseca.
Milan need an experienced CEO, Sporting Director and a top coach to take this club to the next level. Otherwise, it will only get worse from here.
I don’t want to wake u up but Maldini is out for some time now.Also today is 1 sept 2024.
Agree Maldini didn’t have experience when he enjoyed but he did actually do a remarkable job given we went from 10 years in the wilderness to a Scudetto, back to back Champions League qualifications, and a semi-final.
His reward for all that was…..to be sacked???
Fonseca had a month plus to prepare the team and here we are with only two points from three matches and 14th place.
So i doubt Fonseca can clean up his mess with just two weeks.
Theo might be described as passive-aggressive.
Our dissatisfaction with Fonseca’s start to life should not cloud our judgement in everything regards to him. It’s about time Theo and Leao work with discipline and humility.
That’s the point. Fosenca stood up and made a statement to the players. Pioli didn’t and it showed. This may disappear as it was needed or it could be the exit of theo and leao. Fosenca played it correct. It’s up to theo and leao to get on board or plan for the future.
Sorry what showed?
Pioli finished 2nd.,…..