Fonseca: ‘Why shouldn’t I be solid on the Milan bench?’ | OneFootball

Paulo Fonseca insists Milan have not told him anything about an imminent dismissal, so he feels solid on the bench after a 1-1 draw with Roma. ‘Why shouldn’t I?’

There were multiple reports swirling around this evening that Fonseca would be fired if he failed to win the match, with former FC Porto boss Sergio Conceicao already lined up and ready to take over.

This was seemingly prompted by tension between Fonseca and RedBird special advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but the fans continued to chant insults primarily aimed at club owner Gerry Cardinale, urging him to sell up.

So the moment he arrived at the press area with DAZN, Fonseca was asked specifically about these reports.

“Did I have a tough meeting with Zlatan? No, I haven’t spoken to anyone. I don’t know anything and I cannot comment on it because nothing has happened.”

Does he feel solid on the Milan bench?

“Yes. Why shouldn’t I? I have not spoken to anyone.”

Fonseca feels Milan deserved victory over Roma

epa11797991 AC Milan’s midfielder Tijjani Rejjnders (C) celebrates with team-mates after scoring the opening goal in the Italian Serie A soccer match AC Milan vs AS Roma at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan, Italy, 29 December 2024. EPA-EFE/ROBERTO BREGANI

Tijjani Reijnders had opened the scoring early on after combining with Youssouf Fofana, but Paulo Dybala’s volley on an Artem Dovbyk back-heel flick assist allowed Roma to equalise.

Although the Rossoneri had more of the ball throughout, they struggled to create that many scoring opportunities, instead hanging on under pressure in the final stages.

“It was an open game, we created numerous scoring opportunities in the first half. We also started well in the second with chances to score, the players had the right attitude, but when we lost Chukwueze, we also lost some of our organisation,” continued Fonseca.

“We allowed two or three Roma counter-attacks, but in general I think with all the chances that we created and should’ve converted, we did enough to deserve the victory.”

Fonseca was sent off from the touchline for his furious dissent after Reijnders went down under a Niccolò Pisilli sliding tackle.

“I was exaggerated in my protest at that moment, but I don’t want to say anything. It is a very clear situation for me. You analyse what is happening with Milan and what happens with other games.

“We recovered the ball early, were aggressive and created chances, we did everything that we prepared, we just didn’t convert our opportunities into goals. We were aggressive, didn’t let Roma play, I cannot complain about anything except the finishing.”

Milan now fly out to Riyadh on Tuesday for the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final against Juventus, which will be played on January 3.

“I think now it is time to rest for a couple of days, we fly out the day after tomorrow. We do not have many options to choose from, but we’ve got to see what we can do,” concluded Fonseca.