Tammy Abraham's behaviour in Florence shocked everyone. And who knows, maybe even he struggled to recognise himself when watching the video afterward, writes La Gazzetta dello Sport on their website.
Referee Pairetto blows the whistle for the penalty, Tammy receives the ball from his old friend Tomori, Tammy rudely brushes aside the designated penalty taker Pulisic, and he misses from the spot.
An unedifying scene, bad on a personal level, and, in turn, for the Milan world: at that moment, Milan gave the impression of management anarchy and a lack of authority from the coach.
The break served as a time for reflection for Milan and Abraham
Fonseca might not be the type to pin players against the dressing room wall, but if he needs to make strong decisions, he doesn't hesitate. For reference, ask Theo and Leao after Lazio-Milan (following the Parma disasters). Reflecting on it and discussing it, of course. The coach did so, asked his striker for explanations, and reiterated that, from the penalty spot (and not only there), there are predefined hierarchies to follow. He kept discretion regarding his choices ahead of the Udinese match. The stakes are punishment or forgiveness.
On the field, Abraham upfront with Morata supporting him is a combination that is working; but overall, the coach must decide if benching the English striker for behavioral reasons is the right medicine. Mainly because the break allowed for a chance at confrontation and, thus, redemption.
Who is the real Tammy Abraham?
The one we knew before the match in Florence, a player who works hard for his teammates, or the rude and selfish guy seen in Florence? Asking around those who see him work at Milanello and those who observed him closely at Trigoria, it's overwhelmingly the first option.
There isn't anyone among the professionals who recognises Tammy in what he showed during the second half of Fiorentina-Milan. The explanation for that bad-boy moment is unanimous: the Englishman is going through a season of rebirth after a long injury layoff, and that poorly claimed penalty was just a misguided shortcut to making his mark.
Scrolling through social media since the season started, Abraham has quickly endeared himself to Milan fans. And not because of goals (one, from a penalty, in 433 minutes is a poor return for a striker) but because of his attitude.
Sacrifice, great help in the defensive phase, hold-up play, protecting teammates against opponents, running that extra mile: in certain matches where Milan has been overall poor in spirit and ferocity, he and a few others have set the example. Reports from his Roma days describe him the same: always cheerful, always part of the group, always ready to help on the field. It all checks out, Florence aside.
Now, it is up to Abraham to turn things around at Milan
It's an incident that must remain an isolated one if Tammy Abraham wants to continue his adventure with the Rossoneri: the loan from Roma is straightforward, and anything can happen in June.
