International breaks are often a heavily frustrating point of the season, but for AC Milan, the upcoming period away from club football could not be more welcome.
The start of the 2024/25 season has been abysmal for Milan. It is the worst start for the Rossoneri in almost 100 years, there has been discourse on the pitch, reports have suggested that doubts are already present about Paulo Fonseca, and fans are generally unhappy.
In other words, at present, the Diavolo are a ticking time bomb, and a period of calm is beyond needed. Therefore, the international break is a gift almost, and Paulo Fonseca is accepting it, arms wide open.
As Tuttosport (via Milan News) writes, there is no identity in the Milan team, there is no unity in the Milan team, and there are a few frosty cases regarding key players.
Now, though, there are 14 days of separation. Time to get away from the situation, and revise the methods being used, tactics in place, and approaches with certain players. Furthermore, the report suggests that a fortnight is enough time for healing and revitalisation for Fonseca and his squad.
Work for the next fixture has already begun, and training at Milanello is still taking place, even if the stars have departed to represent their respective nations. However, when they return, they must hit the ground running.
Venezia offers an easier welcoming than others might, but the run-in quickly hardens with Liverpool and Inter awaiting. Two fixtures that could be dreaded, but a golden chance for Fonseca to turn his fate around.
It was anticipated that Fonseca would struggle as he’s an average coach. He was hyped during the offseason, like everything with this PR oriented management, but he remains a guy that accomplished nothing besides the Ukrainian league. To hire a coach that didn’t play in UCL since 2018 was head scratching at least.
Now, having 2 points after playing Torino (without Buongiorno), Parma (newly promoted) and that ugly Lazio is even worse than expected. Emerson Royal is a complete disaster. There is no salto di qualita whatsoever despite Fonseca being hired to develop the young players. It’s still early but it already looks like the 12 labours of Hercules to get back on track or Milan will be out of UCL and Scudetto contention even earlier than last year.
Fonseca has until the end if September to turn things around.
Most football people (Milansiti or not) had major issues/reservations with this appointment. Lol except our own mgmt.
I expected the season to start exactly like this yet still hoped for the best. However this mess is not entirely his fault.
As a player in Theo or Mike’s situation it makes zero sense to stay unless you getting Lautaro level money.
If I were on a sinking ship in the Mediterranean I’d head for life raft or at least swim for shore.
Not be like “hey maybe it’ll get better now we have a new captain (manager) and the guy on the radio (mgmt) says everything is smooth sailing.”
Why on earth would they stay?
Reasonably, he has a month to save his job/ show some signs of efficacy (and frankly so should Zlatan, Furlani and Moncacka).
If we have to wait for an outcome of two games to decide Fonseca’s fate, then it’s already too late. Not sure how long they are prepared to wait for Fonseca to figure things out.