Ibrahimovic tells Leao and Theo Hernandez Milan back Fonseca | OneFootball

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Milan technical director Geoffrey Moncada spoke to Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez immediately after full-time against Lazio, after the players had caused a bit of a stir on the pitch, and told them that the club would come out in support of the coach.

Leao and Hernandez were left out of Paulo Fonseca’s starting line-up for Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Lazio. They both came off the bench as second half substitutes and were both involved in the Rossoneri equaliser almost immediately afterwards, smashed home by the Portuguese.

The players all gathered on the touchline for a cooling break after the equaliser went in, which also provided an opportunity for the two coaches to dish out updates instructions to their players. Leao and Hernandez, instead, stood on the other side of the pitch on their own in a show of defiance.

The incident caused a bit of a stir, and led to an online back-and-forth between Leao and pundit Paolo Di Canio.

What Milan and Ibrahimovic told Leao and Theo Hernandez after Lazio

According to Tuesday’s reports, both Ibrahimomvic and Moncada spoke to the two players in question immediately after full-time.

La Gazzetta dello Sport report that Leao and Hernandez claimed they had just come on to the pitch, and did not need a refreshment break. They said that they were ready to carry on playing and push for a winner after the second-half equaliser.

The players also gave their clarification in the dressing room before going out in front of the media. That explanation convinced the club not to hand out any further punishments.

Ibrahimovic, who was not there in person, spoke to the players on the phone and gave them somewhat of a dressing down. He also gave them a reminder of the club’s stance: Fonseca is in charge and his decisions must be respected.