The atmosphere at AC Milan, already plagued by a crisis of results and gameplay, has become even more strained due to the actions of Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao. Shortly after scoring the equalizer against Lazio, just seconds after entering the field and with the involvement of Tammy Abraham, they decided not to join the team for the subsequent cooling break. This morning, Gazzetta dello Sport offers clarification on what happened immediately after the final whistle at the Olimpico.
Clarification with Ibrahimovic also involved
According to the Italian newspaper in today's print edition, the clarification between the two players and the club took place immediately inside the stadium. Theo and Leao spoke with both coach Fonseca and technical director Geoffrey Moncada, expressing their regret over a situation that, according to their version, had been misinterpreted.
They had no intention of rebelling or making a statement against the coach but were simply ready to continue playing without further breaks. This account was also presented by Theo to the media, and Fonseca echoed this by confirming that there was no issue shortly thereafter.
True or not, the club decided not to take action against the two players, thanks to this swift meeting. Additionally, a call from Zlatan Ibrahimovic was made, emphasizing his support for his former teammates.
Zero tolerance now and no room for mistakes
The Gazzetta continues its account, stating that now, in the eyes of the club, both Theo Hernandez and Rafa Leao have exhausted their allowances. No further offenses, whether intentional or minor, will be tolerated. For example, the Portuguese player was already under criticism after the Parma match for his harsh response to a Rossoneri fan.
The substance and message conveyed by the club is that Paulo Fonseca is in charge and his decisions must be followed. Both players will certainly have their starting positions upon returning from the break and will be expected to make a significant comeback. With the upcoming fixtures against Venezia, Liverpool, and Inter, there is no room for mistakes or naiveté like that seen at the Olimpico.
