Should I stay or should I go? [Newsletter]

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Sep 18, 2024

As Paulo Fonseca woke up on Wednesday morning, having lost the big clash, he probably asked himself that question. Likely not verbatim, but still something along the lines of ‘Will I have a job at the end of the week?’. While some have got carried away on this front in recent weeks, the manager cannot turn a blind eye following the 1-3 defeat against Liverpool and now the derby is up next.

It was indeed a very disappointing display against Arne Slot’s side at San Siro. Despite taking the lead after just three minutes, which at the time seemed like the confidence boost we had been waiting for, the Rossoneri succumbed to the pressure and were outplayed in the end. The difference in quality between the squads was evident, we get it, but should it have been that evident?

Granted that Milan also lost 1-2 against what practically was Liverpool’s B-team in 2021-22, Stefano Pioli had a few notable absences then. So two years later, and with the English side also going through a significant change on the bench, shouldn’t the game have been much closer? Yes, at least if you think that the Rossoneri have made progress since that last game.

Taking the start of the season into consideration as well, the only conclusion is that Milan have regressed or - at the very least - stagnated. On the other hand, this is football we are talking about and conclusions aren’t always long-lasting; a different argument could easily be made after Sunday’s game. After all, everyone knows that beating Inter in the derby would be a true sign of progress regardless of the subpar start to this season.

It might not be pretty, it might not be tactically beautiful, but a win against Inter would at least showcase something. A desire among the players above all, but also proof that something works in Fonseca’s style of play, because beating a side like the Nerazzurri these days rarely comes down to luck. Simone Inzaghi and his men are simply too ‘machine-like’, so something must be done right to win.

And if Milan don’t come away with the win? Well, then we are in for it. Fonseca’s position will be put under heavy scrutiny and the Milan management will be forced to make a decision. Should he stay or should he go? They have expressed their full support time and time again but when you’re staring down the barrel of a wasted season, values and ideas can easily go out the window.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic talks a big game about winning today and tomorrow, but if you cannot even muster up the wins today, then what does tomorrow matter? Milan are still heavily dependent on revenue from the Champions League and without wins, you won’t make it far (i.e. less revenue) and you also risk missing out on the next edition (i.e. a lot less revenue). Therefore, a potential decision on Fonseca is far from trivial no matter what the management implies.

News Bulletin

➤ Milan Futuro were second best all over the park in a 2-0 home defeat to Ascoli on Saturday evening that condemned them to a second defeat in three league games. Milan Primavera beat Empoli 4-1 in the league with Filippo Scotti and Max Ibrahimovic starring, then they drew 0-0 with Liverpool in their UEFA Youth League opener.

➤ It has not been a good start to the season for the Milan Women, who lost 2-1 at home to Fiorentina - despite taking a third minute lead through Evelyn Ijeh - to make it two defeats from two in the league so far. They are second-bottom only on goal difference.

➤ The 3-1 defeat against Liverpool at San Siro means that Milan have won just one of their first five games to start the season, and Paulo Fonseca is reportedly under pressure already. A loss in the derby could see him sacked, with Max Allegri, and Maurizio Sarri all linked with the job.

➤ Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been causing quite a stir in recent days, especially after a two-week absence. He was at the Liverpool game and spoke on TV beforehand, sharing a spiky exchange with Zvonimir Boban about what his role is. After the defeat he did not speak to the media, which has generated further discussion.

➤ In terms of transfer stories, it seems that both Samuele Ricci of Torino and Carney Chukwuemeka of Chelsea and Johnny Cardoso of Real Betis remain midfield targets after summer links. Meanwhile, it seems that Mike Maignan is getting closer to a renewal, though he did suffer an injury in the Liverpool game and is a doubt for the derby.

➤ Our longer reads from the past week include a deep-dive into Milan's never-ending search for midfield alchemy, a look at Fonseca's decision to depend on zonal marking and a tactical analysis of the win over Venezia.