Journalist lifts lid on problems at Milan including Fonseca’s frosty relationship with stars | OneFootball

The director of Corriere della Sera Monica Colombo has shed further light on some of the problems at AC Milan, concerning Paulo Fonseca and the key players.

It would be fair to say that not everything is rosy at Milan at the moment, after the 2-0 defeat to Napoli on Tuesday night brought the fifth loss of the season before the end of October.

The Rossoneri have struggled under Fonseca thus far, conceding at least two goals in half of their 12 games, and they now sit 11 points behind the league leaders Napoli already.

Moreover, certain issues such as the handling of Rafael Leao are continuing to dominate the media headlines, all while the results do not back up his bold choices as the head coach.

Colombo spoke to Radio Rossonera about the difficulties Milan have fallen into again after the defeat against Napoli and the relationship between Fonseca and Leao, among other topics.

“I believe that before the next break there is no risk, because there have been expressions of esteem towards Fonseca also because the absences that were there the other night and the glimpses of good play that were seen have been taken into account,” she said.

More Stories / The Match

Defensive calamity plays into Conte’s hands: Tactical analysis of AC Milan 0-2 Napoli

31 October 2024, 19:15

MN: Fonseca will not do a press conference before Monza-Milan

31 October 2024, 16:35

Results, attack, defence and build-up: Comparing Milan under Fonseca to Pioli’s last season

31 October 2024, 14:30

“Of course there is no lack of extenuating circumstances because in any case Milan did not demerit between the 1st and 2nd goal, but the standings do not make us optimistic.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he chose not to make any statements before the match against Monza, he has always been open and sincere with the press even at the cost of becoming self-destructive like when in Florence he admitted that the penalty taker was Pulisic revealing the mess.

“Maybe now he has chosen not to speak to avoid his statements being exploited especially on the divisive issue of the use of Leao. In some ways it’s also understandable to opt for benches for the purpose of stimulation, but with Napoli it seemed like a masochistic choice, because if you have so many players out why give up the one with the most quality.

“Leao and Fonseca don’t get along that well, but it concerns some of the old guard: even with Theo the feeling is not at the highest levels, then it seems like a clash where only one will remain but on one side you have the coach and on the other the most representative, valuable and highest-paid player in the squad.

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

“It’s fine to prod him, but in the long term it also devalues ​​an asset, because Leao has a clause of 175 million euros, but no one would even dream of shelling out even a figure close to that.

“At the moment the gap is important, but also the fact that between Milan and Napoli there are 6 teams. The fact of also having to deal with Inter and Juventus. At this moment it is an objective that he must put aside for now and think about later.

“In some ways it is surprising because we are used to a different modus operandi: the old-style managers who in difficult moments come to Milanello to catechize the coach, harangue the team and we have seen it under the Berlusconi management, but also with Fassone and Mirabelli with the Chinese ownership.

“There is no such approach, the fact is not one of the managers who occupy top roles – all top figures in their field – has the protection of the team in their perimeter. This is the role that everyone expected from Ibrahimovic, but he acted more like a co-owner of Milan than a manager.”