As reported in La Gazzetta dello Sport's in today's print edition, Paulo Fonseca has finally really taken charge of AC Milan. He is moving forward with momentum on his side now after the derby win.
The team is with him, even in the darkest moments. Now, what the club really asks for from him is consistency.
At Milanello , the mood is surely better now, but the Portuguese coach knows that a single misstep could ruin the positive feelings following the derby. Catching up with Inter in the standings has made the start of the season seem less negative. The club is hoping the team finds continuity, as the idea of changing the coach as early as September was not appealing.
A loss against Inter, however, may seriously have been 'fatal' for Fonseca's position as head coach. Milan is convinced that the derby win could be a turning point. Friday's match against Lecce is seen as a test of maturity. Tactically, it will be a very different challenge from the derby. The directors are confident there won’t be any backward steps and that the team will continue to improve. The word “dismissal” has been set aside.
Praising Fonseca's clever strategies.
The team deployed against Inter has become a reference model, explains the Italian newspaper. The ex Roma and Lille boss is now covered in defence as it is more solid with Fikayo Tomori and Matteo Gabbia who performed well together. Tijjani Reijnders is free to move forward. Alvaro Morata plays more like an attacking midfielder while Tammy Abraham is upfront creating space for the wingers and supporting them.
