When Milan decided to part with Scudetto-winning manager Stefano Pioli at the end of last season, they thought they’d change for the better. Changes are sometimes necessary, even inevitable, but the 19-time Serie A champions seemingly haven’t thought this through.
Yesterday, Calciomercato took stock of Paulo Fonseca’s early tenure at San Siro, comparing the Portuguese tactician with Marco Giampaolo. The resemblance is striking. Milan were at a crossroads in 2019 when they opted for the Italian coach.
However, the gamble didn’t pay off. On the contrary, it was a complete disaster. The 57-year-old barely lasted a few months before Milan sacked him after a catastrophic start to the 2019/25 season. The Rossoneri faithful has the irresistible sense of deja vu five years later.
In addition to poorly managed transfer dealings, Milan have trusted the post-Pioli era to the wrong man. Fonseca has returned to Serie A with a point to prove following his disappointing stint at Roma.
Though Fonseca’s two-year reign gave the false impression that his style and football philosophy would suit Milan, the opening two league matches showed that it was an illusion. It’s been a while since the Rossoneri last looked as bad as they did against Torino and Parma.
Defensive issues have deepened. Milan looked vulnerable against Torino, but their massive woes at the back came to the fore at the Stadio Ennio Tardini. Fonseca couldn’t believe his luck against newly-promoted Parma as only pure luck helped his side lose 2-1.
A more clinical team would’ve probably netted four or five. It seemed like Milan touched down in Emilia-Romagna without defenders.
On top of that, the team lost the chemistry they had under Pioli. Milan were static in the front third in both Serie A games this season. Not since Pioli’s early days in the dugout have the Rossoneri frontline looked this disjointed and out of ideas as they do under Fonseca.
The signs are ominous, and there’s a feeling Fonseca could face Giampaolo’s fate.
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