Capello shares anecdote as Fonseca ‘taking a big risk’ vs. Inter could prove successful

The legendary manager Fabio Capello has shared his thoughts on the rumoured changes to AC Milan’s starting XI by Paulo Fonseca tonight. Using an example from his own career, he believes the Portuguese manager could be proven right with the ‘big risk’.

Indeed, as per the latest reports, Fonseca will start both Tammy Abraham and Alvaro Morata up front in tonight’s Derby della Madonnina against Inter. Not only that, but he will also keep Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao on the flanks, meaning it will practically be a 4-2-4.

In his latest editorial for Gazzetta dello Sport, the former Milan manager Capello discussed the move and stated that Fonsexa will be ‘taking a big risk’. On the other hand, as he also pointed out, this could be the way for the manager to save his job.

“Tonight we have another big match, the Milan derby, even if the moods at Inter and Milan are almost opposite. Inzaghi’s team is coming off a great performance in Manchester, while the Rossoneri are struggling and I understand that Fonseca is already at risk. Put like this, it is obvious to give the Nerazzurri the odds as favourites. But be careful not to be presumptuous and lower your attention threshold. Milan is always Milan and the derby is the derby.

“Fonseca could change something, focusing on Abraham and Morata from start. Interesting solution: the Englishman has shown great desire in his first outings and can also be a stimulus for his teammates. It certainly won’t be easy for the Rossoneri to practice the Portuguese coach’s football against Inter: the Italian champions, thanks to a high-quality midfield, are exceptional at eluding the opposition’s pressing and the match against City was yet another demonstration of this.

“This is why Fonseca is taking a big risk with the two strikers plus Pulisic and Leao. However, the Rossoneri coach knows what awaits him. If he wins, he will be right, otherwise he will face what everyone is already thinking. I experienced something similar as the coach of Real Madrid, before an away match at Barcelona. It wasn’t a derby, but you can understand that the wait was similar… In the end, we won and I was confirmed on the bench. I wish Fonseca the same happy ending,” he stated.

It remains to be seen if Fonseca will be proven right but there certainly is great doubt about the defensive phase. He seems more keen on outscoring Inter to clinch the three points, as also alluded to during the presser yesterday.