AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca addressed the media following his team’s 2-2 draw against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico, addressing various aspects of the match and team dynamics.
Responding to observations about Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez remaining apart during a second-half cooling break, Fonseca was quick to downplay any concerns: “There’s no problem, as Theo has already explained.” He referenced Theo’s earlier statement to MilanTV, where the French defender said, “We had just come on two minutes before, we didn’t need the cooling break. It wasn’t anything against the team or the coach.”
Fonseca elaborated on his decision to initially bench Leao and Theo: “I spoke with the players about my choice this week, they accepted it, and there are no problems. I was focused and didn’t notice, but let’s not create problems because there aren’t any. The players’ response was good, their reaction as well. I don’t run away with excuses, when there are problems I don’t hide them. I don’t tell lies.”
Regarding the match itself, Fonseca analyzed: “We had a good first half, managing the game with the ball. We should have accelerated more, but we controlled the match. The second half was totally different, we stopped trying to play. What we did in the second half is completely different, we played with Pavlovic always losing the ball in the left corridor. If we get pressed and lose the courage to play… If they press us high, it can be fine, just want to play. I also understand that in their heads, the players try to defend in this difficult moment, to avoid conceding.”
Fonseca concluded by addressing the team’s midfield performance: “It’s not that we’re missing a midfielder, we’re missing playing. When Lazio started to press higher, we lost ninety percent of the balls coming out with Pavlovic, we didn’t play with our midfielders who are the engine of the team. I understand that the boys don’t want to take risks, but it shouldn’t work like that. There’s no lack of responsibility, it’s a problem of intention.”
