As fans exited San Siro on Saturday night, discussions among AC Milan supporters were already swirling. Although the last-gasp draw against Torino at home was less than ideal for a season opener, the sentiment was clear: “We are not like this.” At least six of the starting eleven deployed by head coach Paulo Fonseca were not representative of the final squad vision that he and the Rossoneri management have in mind.
With the addition of Emerson Royal and Youssouf Fofana expected for the upcoming match against Parma, Fonseca will likely have more of his preferred players available. The week of training should also boost the fitness levels of key players like Theo Hernandez, Strahinja Pavlovic, Tijjani Reijnders, and Alvaro Morata, who all began the match on the bench against Torino. “It was impossible to start them,” Fonseca explained.
While Parma may come a bit too soon to see all six of them begin the match, significant changes are anticipated compared to the debut against Torino, as the team works toward finding their best form. After the match, Fonseca criticized his players for their lack of intensity and reduced pressure on the opponent’s first touch. To elevate the team’s performance, the right personnel are crucial. For instance, while Luka Jovic is not known for relentless pressing, Morata excels in this aspect. “I will run like a dog,” Morata had vowed during his introductory press conference. If Fonseca’s ideas hold firm, the Spanish forward’s work rate will be as valuable as his goals.
Fofana also brings a more dynamic presence in midfield than Ruben Loftus-Cheek or potentially Ismaël Bennacer. Additionally, Emerson Royal and Pavlovic will need to provide more stability than what center-backs Malick Thiaw and Calabria displayed in the season opener. Supporting star attackers like Christian Pulisic or the duo of Samuel Chukwueze and Rafael Leao requires a balanced approach. Should the initial setup not suffice, Fonseca can always adjust with players like Alexis Saelemaekers, who are more defensively minded on the flanks.
“We have various structures to exploit up front,” the Portuguese coach repeatedly stated over the summer. Having plenty of options is beneficial, provided that everyone is fit.
Beyond tactical improvements, Milan hopes to enhance their quality on the pitch. Starting with players like Theo, Reijnders, or Morata can significantly help. “Seeing Hernandez on the bench didn’t disappoint me at all,” admitted Bellanova after the match. Respectfully, the French full-back is in a different league compared to other options, and opponents recognize this too. While Reijnders has notable questions regarding his defensive responsibilities, he is one of the club’s most skilled players in possession, contributing to both goals that saved the team from defeat in the opener.
It might have even been three goals if Leao had not mishandled a standout pass from the Dutchman after his initial control. Speaking of Leao, having Morata as a target man instead of Jovic can aid Fonseca’s transformation plan for the Portuguese star. Alvaro is more inclined to drop back and engage in play, thereby creating space for the runs from left to center that Fonseca has asked from Leao.
Fonseca’s not-so-hidden ambition is to shape Milan in the image of Spain seen during the European Championship. His insistence on playing Pulisic in a trequartista role also stems from this vision, drawing parallels to Spain’s setup, where quality players like Pedri and Dani Olmo thrived behind the main striker, contributing goals and assists. Pulisic resembles this style more than Loftus-Cheek, the former Milan playmaker under Pioli.
Achieving a level of cohesion comparable to the Spaniards will take time. “I don’t expect us to be perfect in August,” Fonseca admitted. Indeed, the fans hope for improvement: “We are not like this.”
