AC Milan’s start to the Serie A season under new manager Paulo Fonseca, who succeeded Stefano Pioli, has been anything but smooth. The Rossoneri have stumbled in their first three fixtures and do not look good as a team.
Fonseca’s home debut saw Milan salvage a 2-2 draw against Torino, thanks to a last-minute equalizer, but this was followed by a shocking away loss to Parma.
Desperate to spark a reaction and regain form, Fonseca made a bold decision in Milan’s third game against Lazio by benching two of the team’s most crucial players—Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez.
This decision was particularly significant as Hernandez has often worn the captain’s armband, and Leao has been integral to Milan’s success and attacking prowess. However, what transpired during the Lazio match only highlighted tensions and potential rifts within the squad, particularly between Leao, Hernandez, and Fonseca.
Milan quickly found themselves 2-0 down to Lazio, forcing Fonseca to call upon the benched stars. Within a minute of their introduction, Leao found the back of the net from a Hernandez assist.
Two minutes later, the cooling break was called, offering the manager a chance to discuss second-half tactics.
However, what concerned fans and former players was that both of these key players were noticeably absent from the manager’s huddle, standing on the opposite side of the pitch, quietly sipping water away from their teammates.
In an attempt to quell rumors, Hernandez later addressed the situation, saying, “We had been on for two minutes; we didn’t need the cooling break. It was nothing against the team or the coach. People talk and say things that aren’t true.”
Fonseca echoed this sentiment post-match, stating, “The situation with Theo and Leao—there is no problem. I think Theo has already explained.”
The post match statements serve to defuse the situation but the picture spoke louder than any words that have been spoken.
The issue didn’t stop there, as Theo and Leao faced harsh criticism from ex Milan forward Paolo Di Canio on live TV.
This wouldn’t even be ok in an after work football game amongst friends. It’s a shame, this is Milan. We’re talking about Theo and Leao, one of them is even the captain sometimes. What are they doing?
In my days I’d have pinned them up against the wall.
He branded them ‘a disgrace’ for the way the two conducted themselves and believes that their actions show disrespect towards their teammates and manager.
His words were very strong, with one excerpt being: “The coach, the teammates who were put down by that attitude, in my day, would have been pinned up against the wall and punched. It’s a disgrace.”
Leao, who has not hesitated using social media to respond to any bits of criticism, didn’t hold back this time around either. He slapped back at the pundit with a response via his social media using a picture of Di Canio during his playing days.
Fans on the platform were left confused and shocked, as the caption-less post provided no context at all.
The picture is from Di Canio’s time at Lazio, where the then player pulled out a fascist salute in the Rome derby highlighting his support for former Italian leader Benito Mussolini. Di Canio also has a ‘Dux tattoo which references Mussolini as well.
Di Canio never hid his political views and at Lazio was an ally to the furthest of the Far Right reaches in the fanbase. The post from Leao was a response and a response, that the things the Italian did on the pitch were far worse than what he called out Leao for.
Although Di Canio has come out after his playing career, and in 2017 insisted he had “regrets” over his actions and that the symbols on his body are who he was in the past.
Theo and Leao will not be fined for the events that took place, and perhaps the international break serves as a cooling period in itself, giving both parties the opportunity to take some time away and come back calm.