Yahoo Sports Milan Not Showing Particular Progress Under Fonseca
Milan failed to keep up their momentum with the draw with Cagliari, confirming their seesawing going. Heading into the third international break, the final one in 2024, the Rossoneri have collected 18 points, 5 fewer than in 2023/2024, Calciomercato points out.
Other than that, they have put up the same numbers as last season, scoring 20 goals and giving up 19, 14 of which in Serie A. The main difference is that they have secured a clean sheet in just a quarter of their matches in the current campaign.
Going from Paulo Fonseca to Stefano Pioli hasn’t produced the turnaround the management was hoping for. Several teams are bunched up near the top of the table, but not Milan, which sit seven points behind fourth place. Qualifying for the Champions League is their minimum objective.
Despite trying a few different combinations, their backline has rarely been stingy. Matteo Gabbia has been the only entirely convincing defender. The brass wants better performances on that end in particular from Theo Hernandez, who had a horrific showing in Sardinia. It wasn’t his only one so far.
The matter is intertwined with the talks concerning his contract extension. Considering the sums at stake, the star fullback will have to earn his pay rise on the pitch, getting rid of the lapses in the back. He has gone backward after showing some improvements in the past.
Our Take on Milan and Fonseca
It always seemed like a lateral move since they weren’t ambitious with the hire, and that has been the case other than a pair of great showings, which add to the frustration, as the potential is there but doesn’t emerge consistently.
