AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca has addressed the surprising exclusion of star players Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao from the starting lineup ahead of their crucial match against Lazio. Speaking to DAZN before kickoff, Fonseca emphasized that his decision was not punitive, but rather aimed at benefiting the team as a whole.
“People might see this as a punishment, but it will never be like that,” Fonseca stated. “It’s a choice based on what we need. Theo is not physically well, I spoke with them, and they understood. We need to make choices that are best for the team.”
The Portuguese coach stressed the importance of unity and collective performance, especially given the team’s recent struggles. “We must be a team today if we want to win. My choice is based on the current form of the players, the team’s situation, and what we need,” he explained.
Fonseca also touched on the team’s preparation during the week, highlighting their focus on defensive improvements. “We are all in agreement on what to improve. Today we want to play a good game defensively, which is the area where we need to improve the most. We have also worked tactically to make better decisions,” he said.
Regarding new signing Tammy Abraham, Fonseca revealed a slight deviation from his usual policy. “Normally, I don’t bring players who arrive on the day of the match or the day before, but we’re in a special situation. Luka (Jovic) is injured, Tammy has always trained. We’ll see now if we need him or not. He’s ready to help the team,” the coach explained.
