The week of truth [Newsletter]

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Aug 28, 2024

Things went from bad to worse for AC Milan on Saturday evening as Parma prevailed 2-1 at Ennio Tardini, deservedly one should add. Two games in, Paulo Fonseca finds himself with his back against the wall and a turnaround is desperately needed against Lazio this weekend. If not, then the Rossoneri will head into the international break with a lot of uncertainty.

The transfer window is coming to an end and although the Milan management perhaps considered themselves done on the incoming front, the horrendous start to the season has forced them to at least think about more operations. Because as the clock strikes midnight on Friday, there will be no turning back for the Rossoneri who then must shift focus to a tough away clash.

Lazio’s start to the season has by no means been brilliant either, with Marco Baroni at the helm, but they have at least clinched their first win. This alone is enough to prevail in the psychological warfare against Milan, not to mention that losing against Udinese away from home is something the Rossoneri can relate to. An interesting clash (perhaps not in a good way) is thus on the cards.

Most of us will remember the 4-0 defeat against Lazio at the Olimpico in the 2022-23 season, as well as the 3-0 defeat in 2020-21, but Milan actually won the last encounter at the stadium by the odd goal. They have also won the last three league games against the Biancocelesti and could make it four consecutive ones for the first time since 2005. Naturally, that probably means it won’t happen.

On the flip side, a win is what Milan need in their attempt to turn things around as heading into the international break with one or two points wouldn’t make much of a difference. A good performance and four points, however, could brighten the situation and restore some much-needed confidence for the players. Unfortunately, very little suggests that we will see a completely different display come Saturday.

Above all, the stars of the team must step up for things to change and we can only hope that Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s stern pep-talk was enough to bring them back to reality. Especially Theo Hernandez, who barely looked bothered against Parma as opposed to Rafael Leao who at least tried. That being said, both of them must raise their level - earning their hefty paychecks - as we all know that this could go a long way to grabbing the first win of the season.

Fonseca also has an important role, of course, as the tactical confusion must be eliminated immediately. We can’t be having players wondering when to press and when to take a step back, as Yunus Musah admitted, and getting a grip on this is the least we can demand. If nothing were to change, then the manager perhaps shouldn’t make it past the international break.

News Bulletin

➤ Milan Futuro lost in their first ever Serie C outing 1-0 away from home against Virtus Entella, with Andrea Corbari netting the winning goal. Daniele Bonera's side are expected to welcome Silvano Vos from Ajax and Nicolo Turco from RB Salzburg, with Demirel Hodzic's arrival confirmed.

➤ Milan’s Primavera side are top of the league after winning their second game in two to begin the new campaign. Goals from Adam Bakoune and Alessandro Bonomi were enough to get past Torino on Monday night.

➤ At the time of writing, Milan and Roma are believed to be closing in on an exchange deal which would see Alexis Saelemaekers head to the capital - plus a cash sum - in exchange for Tammy Abraham.

➤ It has been busy on the exit front as the management look to make room for new signings. Pierre Kalulu joined Juventus on loan with an option to buy, with Tommaso Pobega heading for Bologna and Yacine Adli going to Fiorentina via the same formula.

➤ After a poor start to the season, the media have taken aim at Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They questioned why he is distant at Milanello, his strategy in speaking to the fans/media and the decision to hire Paulo Fonseca when bigger names were available.

➤ Our long reads in the past week include a deep-dive on what Youssouf Fofana will bring to Milan, why the jury is still out on the attempted defensive fix and how the summer dreams have gone up in smoke even if patience is needed. There was also a tactical analysis from the Parma defeat.