Fonseca: ‘Milan not giving their all, worst sensation for a coach’ | OneFootball

Paulo Fonseca was in no mood to celebrate Milan’s 2-1 victory over Crvena Zvezda. ‘Feeling the players are not giving our all to win is the worst sensation a coach can get.’

The Rossoneri found it far more difficult than expected this evening at San Siro, against a side that had already lost here 4-0 to Inter earlier this season.

Rafael Leao opened the scoring with a moment of magic after controlling the long ball, but they seemed sluggish after the restart and Yunus Musah was robbed for the Nemanja Radonjic equaliser.

Late on, Francesco Camarda’s header bounced off the crossbar and Tammy Abraham was ready to turn in the rebound to win their fourth consecutive Champions League match.

“I feel more tired than as if I had played,” Fonseca told Sky Sport Italia.

“I am someone who is not just satisfied with the result. If you ask me am I satisfied with what we did tonight, I cannot accept that. Obviously, the result is the most important thing, we won and are in a good position, but this is just how I am. It’s not something I can change.

“I also feel tired of fighting against these things. I have to talk to the team first. I don’t want to say it here first. I want to analyse what happened, but these things are clear for me. Obviously, I am not satisfied with this performance.

“It’s not about tactics or technique. We go into this decisive match for us and to have this sensation that we’re not doing our best to win it, that’s the worst sensation a coach can get.”

Fonseca furious with misfiring Milan

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 11: Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between AC Milan and FK Crvena Zvezda at Stadio San Siro on December 11, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Check the Player Ratings for Milan 2-1 Crvena Zvezda

Much has been said about Milan needing to find balance this season and Fonseca could not be clearer with his irritation and frustration.

“The problem is that our team is like a rollercoaster. One day we are fine, the next I don’t know. It’s like flipping a coin and waiting to see what you get. It’s honestly shocking.

“This is the problem. I know that I work every day and give my all, I don’t know if everyone in our squad can say this. We have the obligation to come here today and give our all to win the game and we did not do that.”

If he is not satisfied with their response, could Fonseca take action against some of the players?

“They need to understand this cannot happen.”

It was more bad news for the Milan staff, because in the first half both Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Alvaro Morata went off injured, joining Christian Pulisic on the treatment table.

Considering Fonseca lost the first two, the Rossoneri are now only one point behind rivals Inter in the Champions League table.