Fonseca explains why he subbed off star duo and labels penalty calls a ‘circus’ | OneFootball

After the defeat to Fiorentina, Paulo Fonseca spoke to the media about what went wrong for AC Milan at Stadio Artemio Franchi. Among other things, he also clarified why he brought off both Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic in the second half.

From the start, it was clear that it would be a difficult evening for the Rossoneri at Artemio Franchi. Milan loanee Yacine Adli opened the score (of course), Christian Pulisic found the equaliser and then Albert Gudmundsson made the most of a mistake at the back to make it 2-1.

Speaking to DAZN after the game, as transcribed by MilanNews, Fonseca shared his thoughts on what went wrong for Milan. He also explained why he decided to take off both Leao and Pulisic in the second half.

Do you want to say something about penalties?

“I don’t want to say anything.”

What is your perception of the missed penalties?

“I love football and I don’t want to contribute to this circus. Everything was a penalty, and I’m not talking about things for or against, but football is not like that. I don’t want to talk about refereeing.”

Who is the penalty taker?

“The penalty taker is Pulisic, I don’t know why the boys changed. I’ve already told them that it won’t happen again.”

Were there any lineup changes needed today?

“I think we have done well with this structure so far, it’s not that Fiorentina created too many opportunities. We lacked aggression in the first half, their first goal was too easy. It was clearly a problem of aggression, of duels, I told the players. I think that when we miss two penalties, and then concede a goal like the second one, it’s difficult to win even when you create so many opportunities.”

Can you explain how it’s possible to concede goals from throw-ins and goalkeeper long balls?

“It’s hard to explain. For me it’s a lack of aggression, I don’t think it was a structural problem. The players up front weren’t rigorous in closing the spaces, and if we are not aggressive with them then the team stretches out, we lose second balls…”

When you put the ball into the box there aren’t many there…

“I think we normally have 3-4 players in the box. I have to watch the game again, it seems to me that the crosses were not made with quality. But it seems to me that we had men in the box.”

Why did you sub off Pulisic and Leao?

“It was my decision on Leao. I wanted more depth with Okafor. It was out of caution with Pulisic, he had a problem with his flexor during the week. Chukwueze came in well and created opportunities.”

Theo was given a red card after the final whistle…

“I don’t know what happened.”

Milan will be up against Udinese after the break and then Club Brugge awaits in the Champions League. There is a lot to work on next week, especially the left-hand side as Theo Hernandez now could miss the next two games (due to the red card he got).