Paulo Fonseca was not accepting of AC Milan’s performance against Red Star last night, and he is planning a meeting with the team and with several individuals.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport write, his interviews after the match against the Serbian side ‘will inevitably change Milan’s season’. The coach seemed tired, worn out by the pressure and disappointment, and let down by his players.
Fonseca could have limited himself to being a bit more diplomatic in conveying it but instead he attacked the team, at the cost of putting his future at Milan at risk. What did he want to say, and who was he angry with?
The motivation
The meaning of his speeches, quite explicit, revolves around one word: attitude. If you prefer, commitment, application. Fonseca thinks the team is strong but wants more commitment, more dedication, more concentration from some players.
He even made this clear after the defeat in Parma: “I’m disappointed. It’s difficult to explain our defensive attitude. It’s clear that we have a defensive problem.” The concept, three and a half months later, hasn’t changed much.
Fonseca’s attitude is either to be clear and strong, without hiding the problems. In other situations the coach downplays things, lets the directors speak or does his talking in the dressing room. Rightly or wrongly, he doesn’t keep his cards close to his chest.
Instead, the Portuguese is always on the frontline, as the one who goes against everyone, from the referees to the players. This time he chose to call the players out on their responsibilities, and the fact that the Milan fans are equally dissatisfied can definitely have an impact.
The recipients of his most recent tirade are not made explicit and this is the big premise. However, the report adds that he is speaking about two or three players, not the whole team. In addition, the attitude in training is also being discussed, not just in games.
Fonseca is not happy with the application of Theo Hernandez, and not just because of the Red Star game. Much has been said about Theo’s difficulties on and off the pitch and yesterday’s match did not change the impression of a player who does much less than he could.
Davide Calabria meanwhile came off yesterday with the armband on, visibly unhappy with the change. He did not even acknowledge his coach. Fikayo Tomori even got a yellow while warming up and is suspended for the next match without playing. It is clear that Fonseca expects more.
What happens next?
The question, at this point, is to understand how the relationship between the coach and the team will change. Fonseca and the players will meet again 12 hours after the words in the press conference and they will not be able to pretend nothing was said.
A direction will have to be taken and the fracture will have to be mended, if Milan want to start climbing. Will we see more players benched for Milan-Genoa on Sunday, like has happened before? It’s possible.
After all, Leao now plays with a different fire and has returned to being decisive, to the joy of anyone who loves football. The pride of the players, heavily called into question by the words about the boys of Milan Futuro and Primavera, will have to intervene and for Milan it is better this way.
If things do not work – and the Serie A standings do not improve – it is better not to drag things out, which is where the directors may step in. It is better to make strong choices: win or lose with your own ideas and have a resurgence, or exit with a bang.
“Fonseca and the players will meet again 12 hours after the words in the press conference and they will not be able to pretend nothing was said.”
What if that was we just a tirade?
Pioli pampered some of the boys, and they can’t take the cane. They end up sulking instead of playing
Absolutely, some of them like Theo/Leao got away with doing as much or little as they felt. They learned bad habits and those are hard to change
It seems he is pointing the finger of blame clearly at Theo.
This is a bad situation which risks us losing a rare talent, one that can not be replaced
For a talent with a bad attitude always on and off the pitch is nothing. But I blame Milan management who have refuse to sign a competitor to Theo, hence his bad behaviour.
I think he’s also blaming Calabria for how he reacted to his substitution and perhaps Tomori as well.
In any case, the players need to be held accountable and sanctioned for bad behaviours and laziness but a coach who can’t control his team has no place on the bench.
And delivered a Scudetto, a Champions League semi-final, and 3 top 2 finishes in 4 seasons.
The only attitudes that are a problem are fans like you.
I personally would have saved these words for private and been more diplomatic in the press, but that’s not his style apparently. I agree with Fonseca though. Some of the players, especially Theo I hate to say, are not focused and not trying hard. Attention and application are the table stakes, the bare minimum to be expected. We have beaten by teams with far less talent who are more focused and have more desire. That can’t continue.
Fonseca is right to criticize them for their lack of motivation and psspoor attitude. But he should also look at the mirror as he has managed to destroy what Pioli had built. Everyone is starting to decline. Even our MVP Pulisic has lost his form.
We’ve truly become a madhouse…instead of the club celebrating a crucial win last night this could easily derail the team that has 4 CL wins in a row and our CL quest could all come crashing down.
All just a few days before our 125th anniversary.
Fonseca’s back is against the wall – referees fault last weekend, players blamed last night…probably just a matter of time now.
I’d ordinarily be more patient with a coach but Fonseca is actively alienating the core of the squad.
This is the worst case scenario.
Not only did we replace Pioli with a sub-par coach but he’s also toxic.
It’s the end of an era.
Yea that’s the thing. I’m usually with sticking with the coach but man I’ve seen more players regress or just simply out of form than ones who’ve improved
Also, management is to blame here. You cant get a coach that’s won less in the league than the current players. Half of the believability factor goes out the window, the other half is ambitions. You’re are a point where you can build upon, yet we moved laterally with our appointments and transfers
Agreed MH, I feel the same. I gave Fonseca time, patience and belief but there’s no way he will find a squad 100% behind him now.
His press conf last night sounded like there was a mutiny. Might be a blessing in disguise – once we change for the right mngr.
Acmilan is in a tight schedule but all the players must work on their self I advised this since and now it’s happening Loftus cheek can’t cope with Acmilan now Acmilan players must train harder to win their remaining serie A match before break so I advised Acmilan to replace pulisic with Reijnder as attacking midfield then musah or vos should support Fofana and chukwueze and leao need to be in the starting lineup. For now. And Fonseca must evaluate all the players performance in training.
So many here are looking at the wrong issue. Fonseca would be fired when he is, and management would make another lateral move and hire someone who is not suppose to be at the coaching helm of Milan.
I am. Apathetic to Fonseca. Not even angry or enraged. Management is to blame. That is where the real. Issue lies. Pouring out your spewl on Fonseca changes nothing, he might have good intentions, he might even have the right ways to improve Milan given time. That is if Milan even have such time.
But one thing is constant. When he gets fired eventually or leaves mutually due to burnout, management would. Do. What management do and set Milan back. It’s what they’ve done 3 seasons in a row.
Plus at this point some these players deserve it. Forget about closed doors and what not. Pioli gave them a huge tape to burn and so they got used to it.
They got used to a gaffer who would take all the heat and shield them from the public. Maybe it’s good as they get flayed alive in public.
It’s not like shouting indoors would change anything or did change anything. Pioli shouted indoors and still got the inconsistent results that came with sometimes horrendous football. So what’s new🤷♂️🤷♂️
Forza diavolo