The recent cooling break incident involving Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez has created a stir at AC Milan, but the club has decided not to impose fines on the two star players. The upcoming international break is seen as a timely opportunity to cool tensions and restore calm within the team.
La Gazzetta dello Sport report how both Leao and Hernandez have been called up for their respective national teams. France will play Italy and Belgium in Paris and Lyon, while Portugal will host Croatia and Scotland in Lisbon. This break from club duties may allow the players to disconnect and reflect on the situation.
Upon their return to Milanello in two weeks, manager Paulo Fonseca will need to decide whether to start them in the upcoming match against Venezia. The logical assumption is that they will play, but nothing is certain at this point.
Fonseca has already attempted to downplay any tensions, stating after the match, “There are no problems, and we shouldn’t create any. I’m a sincere person and I tell the truth. I’m not hiding anything. This time I’m telling you there are no problems. I spoke with them during the week and they accepted the decision well.”
Theo Hernandez also tried to defuse the situation, explaining, “We had just come on two minutes earlier, we didn’t need the cooling break. It wasn’t anything against the team or the coach. Now we need to continue working to win together.”
The incident was witnessed firsthand by RedBird founder Cardinale, who was in attendance at the Olimpico. This adds another layer of complexity to the situation, as the ownership will undoubtedly be monitoring how it’s handled.
The relationship between Fonseca and the two stars may need recalibration. A previous summer meeting between Fonseca and Leao in Portugal’s training camp comes to mind, highlighting the importance the coach placed on communicating with the Portuguese forward.
As Milan prepares for crucial upcoming matches, including a Champions League fixture against Liverpool and a derby with Inter, managing this situation effectively will be crucial for the team’s harmony and performance.
