Ibrahimovic: ‘Milan agree with Fonseca’ on Theo Hernandez | OneFootball

Zlatan Ibrahimovic confirms Milan ‘agree’ with coach Paulo Fonseca’s tirade against lazy players, sharing his decision to drop Theo Hernandez against Genoa. ‘It was a similar situation with Rafael Leao.’

It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games on the Liveblog.

Tonight the Diavolo are celebrating the 125th anniversary of the club’s foundation, inviting legends like Marco van Basten, Franco Baresi, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, Clarence Seedorf, Alexandre Pato and Pippo Inzaghi onto the pitch before kick-off.

They are also wearing the special anniversary kit based on the one worn over a Century ago.

“What we want is to win trophies and keep writing the history of this club, so we’re taking it one step at a time,” Ibrahimovic told DAZN.

Ibrahimovic shares Fonseca rage at Milan attitude

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 11: Paulo Fonseca, Head Coach of AC Milan, gestures from the touchline 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)

Fonseca was furious after the midweek Champions League victory over Crvena Zvezda, insisting “not all” the players were giving 100 per cent in every game.

He promised to use the Milan Futuro youth players if necessary and two of them start this evening, Mattia Liberali and Alex Jimenez, sending Theo Hernandez to the bench.

“The coach is seeking a reaction, especially after a performance like that. What he said in public was also said in private. If I was one of his players, I would react, because if the coach is not happy, then you have to do more. We agree with him, the team needs to do more and we’ll see if there is a reaction,” noted Ibrahimovic.

“It was a similar situation with Rafael Leao a few weeks ago. Tonight he chose to leave out Theo, one of the best left-backs in the world. He expects a lot from him, we want him to be at the top of his form. He will certainly be back, but the coach makes his choices and they must be respected. When players are on the field, they must be able to make the difference.”

Milan Futuro was created to help smooth the passage from the youth team to the senior squad, so is this a one-off or a sign of Milan’s new strategy?

“It also depends on them. They are given the possibility and must then make the most of it. You don’t know if a young player is ready until he is given the chance. We are very curious to see Liberali, we have faith in our talents and they train regularly with the first team at Milanello,” concluded Ibrahimovic.

“We do not see this as them bring brought in because of a punishment, but rather an opportunity.”