AC Milan: the impressive comeback that gives Paulo Fonseca breathing space

This is a very eventful start to the season. A few weeks ago, Paulo Fonseca, who arrived this summer on the AC Milan bench to replace Stefano Pioli, was announced on an ejection seat following a succession of poor results. After five days played, the Milanese club had only pocketed one victory (against Venice 4-0), had taken only five points and thus camped in a sad 13th place in Serie A. La Curva Sud had pointed the finger this bad passage with banners and letters: “ These are not our ambitions, nothing and no one can justify the embarrassing spectacle shown during the first three matches. There are no more extenuating circumstances or lightning rods for anyone, everyone must assume their responsibilities, without exception!“. But today, the sun returns to the red and black sky of Milan.

After the big victory against Venice (4-0) then the success against rival Inter (1-2), the Rossoneri scored a third consecutive victory in the championship by dominating Lecce (3-0), which what to relieve Paulo Fonseca, in the hot seat for several weeks: Everything changed in a few days. That’s the beauty of football. We must always be balanced, because things can change. Winning the derby was important, but for me too, it was important to win today. This is not a criticism, but this team has not played positional football in recent years, but often counter-attacks. We now need to create spaces with strict positioning by doing things at the right time. The team did well today, but I want more», explained the Portuguese coach who must be relieved to have bounced back admirably after weeks of protests where he almost folded on several occasions.

Three consecutive victories!

The loss against Liverpool in the Champions League served as a solid foundation to correct the team’s problems and the Rossoneri are ready to meet Bayer Leverkusen: “It will be a totally different match. We haven’t had any luck in Europe, we’ve played against Liverpool and now Leverkusen. It will be very difficult, but now we are preparing. I didn’t see much but because I was focused on tonight’s match», Detailed the Portuguese. They scored three or more goals in the first half in two consecutive home games (4 against Venice, 3 against Lecce) for the first time since the November-December 2009 period in Serie A under Leonardo’s leadership. A mini-series which has less merit in existing after dark hours in September. Milan’s next four league matches will be against Fiorentina, Udinese, Bologna and Napoli. A program which will serve as great references for the rest of the season.

Beyond the positive results, it is the general attitude and the game produced which also seem to have completely transformed. Even Théo Hernandez, with whom Paulo Fonseca had supposed mini-frictions at the start of the season, seems to have fit perfectly into the collective mold. The Frenchman was reassuring on Friday evening after the match against Lecce: “In the first matches we were not good, but now we are starting to work well, play well and do what the coach tells us. We are happy to have played a good match, which is the most important thing. 29 goals like Paolo Maldini, I’m happy to have scored so many. I have a lot of goals with this club and I hope to achieve more. Six years in Milan, will I stay long like Maldini? I’m very happy here, the people love me and the team loves me“. After having avoided a historic record reached only once in 65 years (namely remaining empty of success during the first four days of the championship), the Milanese Diavolo is frightening again!