This evening's derby against Inter could really be the last chance for AC Milan coach Paulo Fonseca to turn things around. After only one win in five matches this season, and with a team that has shown neither a clear playing style nor identity, the Portuguese coach is betting everything to hold onto his spot on the Rossoneri bench, which he committed to this summer for the next three years. To do so, he will propose an attack-oriented Milan.
A win may not be enough for Paulo Fonseca...
After the defeat against Liverpool, several names of potential replacements for Paulo Fonseca have emerged. The general consensus is that this may be his final opportunity at Milan: the team must not only win but do so convincingly, or the Rossoneri club will move on. This is a crucial point: as Tuttosport reports, a victory might not be enough for the former Lille coach—the management wants to see a performance that is solid both tactically and in terms of attitude. So, if a draw or defeat happens, Fonseca's time in Milan is numbered. Even with a win, as was the case with Giampaolo, his experience at Milan could end after just over two months.
Big decisions regarding the tactical choices...
For this reason, Fonseca is expected to make all-or-nothing decisions. Instead of retreating into his own half, he will take on Inter, and all the psychological weight that comes with it, with an offensive lineup. Reports from yesterday’s training session suggest a possible 4-4-2 formation with two forwards, Morata and Abraham.
The truth, however, is that it would look more like a 4-2-4, as both wingers, Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic, are highly attacking players. Not to mention the two fullbacks, Theo and Emerson (starting due to Calabria's latest injury), who are also more offensively minded. The ones who will miss out are Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and in defense, the new arrival Pavlovic, who will give way to the 'old' pair: Tomori-Gabbia.
