Fofana suspended for derby clash against Inter – Conceicao takes the ‘blame’ | OneFootball

Youssouf Fofana will be forced to miss the derby against Inter on February 2 having picked up a yellow card during the win against Parma.

Calciomercato.com speaks of ‘the feared card’ and the fact that Milan will not be able to count on Fofana in the crucial game next weekend. It is a big absence in the return match against their city rivals, as the linchpin that has supported the midfield since the beginning of the season is missing.

Fofana has actually been one yellow card away from a one-game ban since the match against Juventus on 23 November, and Conceicao made the decision to start him against Parma perhaps knowing he had previously navigated the disciplinary tightrope well.

In the 43rd minute of the match against Parma, Fofana stopped Valentin Mihaila on the counter-attack in midfield. The Frenchman immediately apologised knowing what might come, yet the Rosario Abisso pulled out the yellow card, much to the anger and frustration of the home crowd.

Conceiçao will have to find solutions to replace the former Monaco man, a difficult mission given the importance of the Frenchman on and off the ball. Why did he start him? The coach spoke to DAZN at full-time.

“He was disappointed, he will lose a match on the pitch. However, I was the one to blame for putting him on the pitch. I know that for the fans three points in the derby are important, but for me today’s are also important. Otherwise we risked losing one and the other and I didn’t want that,” he said.