La Gazzetta dello Sport notes that most Milan players ‘didn’t betray’ their coach Paulo Fonseca in the latest Serie A game against Udinese, but a more significant test awaits the Rossoneri, who host Club Brugge in the Champions League today.
Fonseca made some firm decisions in Milan’s 1-0 win over Udinese on Saturday when he benched Rafael Leao, Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham.
The English pair infuriated the Portuguese coach before the international break by ignoring the penalty kick hierarchy against Fiorentina, while Leao remained on the bench as a technical decision.
The Portuguese coach explained on Saturday that the team is “more important” than any player.
GdS: Most Milan players didn’t betray Fonseca
![MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 14: Theo Hernandez of AC Milan celebrates with his team-mate Rafael Leao after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Venezia at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 14, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)](https://icdn.football-italia.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Theo-Hernandez-Rafael-Leao-Milan-hug-point.jpg)
La Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Sebastiano Vernazza notes that most Milan players “didn’t betray” their coach on Saturday, especially after Tijjani Reijnders received a straight red card in the first half.
Some of the biggest Milan names didn’t start the match at San Siro on Saturday, but the response from the rest of the team was encouraging. Even Fonseca praised the players’ attitude at a pre-match press conference on Monday.
Milan players proved they stand on the coach’s side, but an even bigger test looms for the Rossoneri and their coach.
Later today, Milan will host Club Brugge in the Champions League Round 3. The Rossoneri have already lost against Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen, and the next game in Europe will be against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
It goes without saying that this evening’s fixture is a must-win for the Diavoli and Fonseca, who will expect the same response from the group, especially from Rafael Leao, who will be returning to the starting XI.