Away from home, AC Milan could not secure the win against Cagliari. Three goals were conceded and the match ended in a draw.
Head coach Paulo Fonseca commented on the result by saying these following statements:
"The problem for Milan today wasn’t offensive but defensive. Great difficulties on Cagliari’s crosses. Lacking aggression at this moment, it’s not possible to win a game against a team that only crosses, and we’re losing aerial duels. Even with a five-man backline, we lost aerial duels; we lost 69% of the aerial duels. Difficulties with direct play and crosses."
Is it a step backward for Milan after a huge victory at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid in the Champions League? Fonseca answered:
"Mostly in terms of the result. Offensively, we did good things. We scored three goals here; we shouldn’t end the game in a draw. It’s a step backward; we can’t concede three goals if we want to win."
Is Milan's future with a three-man midfield?
“We always play with a three-man midfield," he told DAZN. "Today, we had Tijji, Fofana, and Pulisic. That wasn’t the issue. The problem was how we suffered, allowing the first goal we shouldn’t have. It’s true it was offside, but we shouldn’t have conceded it. The second one is crazy... This is a team that constantly crosses; we lacked aggression in individual duels, not as a unit.”
On Theo Hernandez' performance, Fonseca said:
“He can do better defensively. We’re working to correct important aspects. But the entire defensive line can do more in aerial duels and aggression. Everyone can do more.”
On Rafael Leao:
“He’s in good form and is coming back defensively as well. He was always with the team. This is the Leao we want; he’s a decisive Leao.”
On Francesco Camarda:
“It wasn’t easy. He did well in what he did. I’m happy with his performance."
