Sky journalist reveals Milan’s dressing room pact: “We mustn’t pretend nothing happened” | OneFootball

Sky journalist Peppe Di Stefano has lifted the lid further on Paulo Fonseca’s decision not to start Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao against Lazio, and what went on during the game.

There was enough drama during the game itself as Strahinja Pavlovic put Milan one goal up early on before Taty Castellanos and Boulaye Dia responded for Lazio, putting them 2-1 up.

Rafael Leao levelled things again barely a couple of minutes after coming on along with Theo Hernandez and Tammy Abraham, but a saga has developed because of what happened during the cooling break that followed.

Di Stefano spoke on Sky the day after the game in the capital and passed on some further information on the events that took place, with his comments relayed by Radio Rossonera.

“Everyone in the dressing room agreed to downplay the problem. We mustn’t pretend nothing happened, yesterday there was a lack of respect towards the players and the coach,” he said.

“There was a clear choice. Theo explained that they had just received instructions, but at 2-2 it’s different, the game plan can change. It seems there are no fines, if you give a fine it’s as if you don’t agree with the words of Theo and Fonseca.

“That way they would ignite the case, the idea is to send it under the radar. The hope is that the temperature can drop and that after the break there can be a more serene situation. In any case it wasn’t a nice image, it’s not a Milan-worthy image.”

There has also been a fair amount of talk regarding that fact that Zlatan Ibrahimovic was not present at the game as he usually is, but the journalist believes it is not necessarily the biggest issue.

“I agree that it’s not a drama, Fonseca talks about not having problems with Theo and Leao. It’s certainly a delicate moment, the results don’t support the coach’s choices. Yesterday also the absence of Ibra, today he is now the symbol and his absence was felt.

“Milan must rebalance the team, they had to play differently and they haven’t done it yet. After the break we will understand what they want to be when they grow up.”