Capello believes Fonseca still has critical issues to fix: “The time has come for action” | OneFootball

Fabio Capello believes that AC Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca has not fixed many of the issues that emerged during the first part of the season.

Milan have had a very mixed start to the season it would be fair to say, one that has left them 10 points away from the current league-leaders Napoli, albeit with a game in hand against Bologna to play.

In the Champions League they began with defeats against Liverpool and Bayern Leverkusen, but then beat Club Brugge, Real Madrid and Slovan Bratislava to rack up three wins on the spin and climb the table.

The Rossoneri are sorely lacking any real consistency though and they continue to let in too many goals, which is why the fans are getting restless and expect a turning point to come soon.

Capello spoke in a column for La Gazzetta dello Sport that was published this morning and he gave his thoughts on where Milan currently stand under Fonseca.

“Paulo Fonseca has never hidden. Since his arrival he has spoken of a Milan that can win the league and even today, ten points behind the leaders Napoli, even with a game less, he continues to see the positive. Rightly so, a coach must always convey optimism to his team,” he said.

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“But precisely because the Rossoneri must recover ground in the table, the time has come for action. Milan must start to score points consistently in the league, starting already this evening against Empoli, a difficult opponent.

“The Tuscans know how to defend themselves and are in good form. It won’t be easy, but the Diavolo have put themselves in a position where they can no longer make mistakes, even if we are only at the end of November. Victory is the only acceptable result, without ifs or buts.

“In the Champions League, Milan have sorted things out a bit, although the latest win in Bratislava hasn’t made us forget the problems. I’m referring in particular to the defensive aspect. Fonseca spoke mainly of individual errors yesterday, but if you concede a goal like the first one against Slovan, there’s much more to it.

“Positioning on set pieces and corners is prepared during the week and it’s not acceptable to see situations like the one in the Champions League in a match.

“If from a corner in your favour an opponent is able to start with the ball at his feet from his midfield and have a clear field to get to your goal, without defenders in front of him, it means only one thing: you’re badly positioned and the men you chose as the ‘last’ ones to protect are not fast enough to get back.

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

“They seem like details, but they aren’t and in fact they cost Milan a goal. More generally, Fonseca’s team continue to lack balance. And when they have had it recently, like against Juventus, they lacked in the style of play, building slowly and predictably. It seems that they cannot consistently find a middle ground.

“So Milan often lives off the ideas of Leao and Pulisic or concede too much at the back, without having the attention that would be needed to get a result: I still don’t see a consistent idea of ​​the style of play. Even if the basis for hoping for a comeback is there and bears the names of Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders, a midfield pairing that I would never change.

“Fonseca shouldn’t invent anything – against Juve, pushing the Dutchman up wasn’t a good idea – and he entrusts those two with the keys to the team, both in build-up and in finding the right balance. Every team has key players in providing balance, just look at what’s happening to Manchester City after Rodri’s injury.

“At Milan, the Fofana-Reijnders link could have the same importance. And after all, there are still two thirds of the season ahead, there’s still time to fix things: if the Diavolo found their physiognomy, catching up with those in front would be possible.

Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images

“It’s clear that a lot of work is needed to change pace. And by work I don’t just mean correcting mistakes or fixing the tactical side. Milan also needs a winning mentality. This is why I appreciate Fonseca’s always positive words. Just as I agree with the choice of Musah already in today’s match against Empoli.

“I really like the American, he is dynamic, he brings energy to his team-mates and guarantees more running and balance than Chukwueze and Loftus-Cheek. It is no coincidence that he was on the pitch in Madrid, on the best night experienced by the Rossoneri – together with that of the derby with Inter – this season.

“Well, those extraordinary victories for now have seemed more like flashes than anything else. It is necessary that similar performances become a constant, even against less famous opponents. And then yes, Fonseca will be able to seriously spread positivity and confidence to his players. All Milan fans hope so.”