Fonseca defends Milan starting XI, but team was ‘too passive’ | OneFootball

Paulo Fonseca defends his choice of starting XI after Milan substitutes transformed the game against Torino. ‘We need to get them back to full fitness. The team was too passive in the first half.’

It was not the start that the new coach was looking for, but still ended up better than expected when they were trailing 2-0 at the 88th minute.

A bizarre Malick Thiaw own goal and Duvan Zapata free header had given Torino the advantage, but substitutes Alvaro Morata and Noah Okafor managed to claw their way back in stoppages to a 2-2 draw.

“I did not expect before the game that we would be perfect at this stage, but I must say our first 45 minutes was not good. We were passive defensively. The second half was different, we were more aggressive, won the ball back earlier and had enough opportunities to win the match,” Fonseca told Sky Sport Italia.

“We know what these games are like, we must continue working, because there is a lot that needs to be improved.”

Even those goals were assisted by players who had come off the bench, Tijjani Reijnders and Yunus Musah, so did Fonseca get the wrong starting XI or was it necessary?

“We have another week now to get those players stronger physically. It was not possible to start them today, but when they came on, they did well and brought fresh intensity. We need to get them quickly back to full fitness.”

Fonseca wants a more aggressive Milan approach

This performance was a surprise, especially considering Milan had probably the best pre-season results of any big Italian club.

The defence looked shaky this evening, but is this why they have been trying to bring in Youssouf Fofana to help protect them with the midfield?

“I think it is a collective issue, it’s not just about the defenders. In the first half, we weren’t pressing high and that made it easier for Torino to attack us. In my opinion, we must improve the defensive movement in general, because the team is a little passive. I want us to win the ball back quickly and not leave the opponents time to think. In the first half, we allowed Torino time and space to prepare their moves calmly.”

Rafael Leao wasted a few scoring opportunities and that has been a problem throughout his career.

“I don’t think it is a technical issue, it’s just that he needs to be more active,” argued Fonseca.

“Rafa was defensively a different player for me today, he worked really hard. Someone with his skill needs to be close to the goal, be more dynamic and more active to always get near the goal.”

Inter were also held to a 2-2 draw by Genoa today, but they were away from home and leading 2-1 until the stoppage-time equaliser.