Fonseca questions Milan squad´s commitment despite Red Star win

Embed from Getty Images

Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca slammed his players for their lack of effort despite beating Red Star Belgrade 2-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Tammy Abraham struck the winning goal in the 87th minute for the Rossoneri after Rafael Leao’s effort had been cancelled out by Nemanja Radonjic’s stunning effort.

Milan dominated proceedings at the San Siro for much of the contest, registering an expected goals (xG) total of 2.13 from their 20 shots to their opponents’ 0.48.

The result also saw Milan earn a fourth consecutive win in the competition for the first time since a run of five victories between February and April 2005.

However, despite his side moving up to 12th in the 36-team standings with two games remaining, Fonseca had some stern words for his squad after the game.

“I have to talk to the team. I don’t want to talk too much, I want to analyse (the game), but there are things that are clear to me,” Fonseca told Sky Sports.

“It’s not a tactical or technical issue – we arrive here to a decisive match for us, and having this feeling of not doing everything to win the match is the worst feeling we could have.”

Back-to-back-to-back-to-back #UCL wins #ACMFKCZ #UCL #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/fjTZGbpDzW

— AC Milan (@acmilan) December 11, 2024

With Red Star managing just one win from their five games heading into the encounter at the San Siro, they created several chances to take the lead in the second half.

But that goal never came for Vladan Milojevic’s side, who have now lost all 12 of their away Champions League matches, the worst away record by any side in the history of the competition.

However, their display left Fonseca with plenty to ponder ahead of Milan facing Genoa on their return to Serie A action this weekend, even questioning his side’s commitment.

“I know that I work every day to do well. I don’t know if everyone in our team can say that,” Fonseca added.

“We have the obligation to give and do everything to win, and we didn’t do it.

“I have to talk to the team about what happened on the pitch. They have to understand that this cannot happen.”