Paulo Fonseca noticed a Milan which was not aggressive sufficient, as they dropped factors at Cagliari.

Fonseca mentioned after the win over Actual Madrid that taking part in in Serie A is tougher than within the Champions League, and tonight’s match in opposition to Cagliari confirmed precisely what the coach meant by it.

Nadir Zortea (2′) scored after lower than 90 seconds on the clock, however then Rafael Leão (15′, 40′) acquired a brace. Nevertheless, Gabriele Zappa, who tormented a horrible Theo Hernández all evening, equalized (53′). Fonseca made adjustments and substitute Tammy Abraham, who changed 16-year-old Francesco Camarda, acquired a tap-in to make it 3-2 (69′). Nevertheless, Zappa then discovered the online once more with a superb volley (89′).

The Rossoneri struggled an awesome deal in opposition to Davide Nicola’s facet, regarded extremely fragile in protection and conceded possibilities left and proper. Regardless of main for many of the match, Milan can contemplate themselves fortunate to have left Sardegna Enviornment with a degree.

“The issue for Milan at present was not offensive, however defensive,” Fonseca advised DAZN. “We had main difficulties with Cagliari’s crosses. Aggression is missing in the intervening time. It’s inconceivable to win a sport in opposition to a crew that solely crosses and lose aerial duels. Even with a five-man backline, we misplaced aerial duels – we misplaced 69% of them. We had bother with direct play and crosses.”

Was it a step again, and in that case in what method?
“Primarily by way of the end result. Offensively, we did good issues. We scored 3 objectives right here; we shouldn’t be drawing this sport. It’s a step again – we will’t concede 3 objectives if we wish to win.”

Is Milan’s future with a three-man midfield?
“We at all times play with a three-man midfielder. At the moment we performed with Reijnders, Fofana and Pulisic. That wasn’t the difficulty. The issue was the best way we suffered. We conceded the primary objective, which we shouldn’t have… sure, it was offside, however we shouldn’t have allowed it. The second objective was loopy… It is a crew that crosses continuously and we weren’t aggressive sufficient individually and never as a unit.”

What did you consider Theo’s efficiency?
“He can do higher defensively. We’re working to appropriate issues which can be essential. However your complete line of defense can do extra in aerial duels and by way of aggression. Everybody can do extra.”

What did you consider Leão?
“He’s in a very good second. He’s bettering defensively. He has at all times been with the crew – that is the Leão we wish, a decisive Leão.”

How was Camarda?
“It wasn’t straightforward. He did effectively with what he had. I’m happy along with his efficiency.”

Fonseca additionally held a post-match press convention: “This match could be very straightforward to elucidate. We scored three objectives, however we will’t concede three objectives in that method. We have to work on defending crosses; we now have a difficulty there. Cagliari gained 100% of the aerial duels, and that’s not acceptable.”

Is it a small step again?
“There are nonetheless a whole lot of factors out there. An important crew exhibits its high quality over time. We’re bettering offensively, however much less so in defence.”

Are you disenchanted or indignant?
“No, I feel the crew managed the sport effectively, simply much less so in tackling and duels. It’s actually laborious to elucidate.”

There are issues that occur away from residence. You concede a lot much less at San Siro – is that only a coincidence?
“We confronted a crew in good type, taking part in a direct type. We have to enhance defensively; I’ll say it once more.”

Who impressed you from Cagliari?
“I don’t give attention to my opponents. We had been ready for this sort of aggressive play. Cagliari did very effectively.”

Leão was a successful selection…
“He understood the place he wanted to enhance. At the moment he was decisive, additionally defending with the crew.”

Chatting with MilanTV, Fonseca mentioned: “I knew they’d be troublesome to play, they’re actually direct, entering into the channels and instantly placing within the cross. I knew it could be a troublesome sport. After scoring 3 objectives, I by no means would have thought that may lose this sport, or draw. The issue wasn’t on the assault, we did many good issues up entrance. For me, it was a defensive subject. We lacked aggression in stopping the cross, we weren’t aggressive sufficient within the field. We gained 9 of the 22 aerial duels. That’s an indication that we lacked aggression. Their crosses prompted us issues at present. Each time, as a result of we had been lacking the required aggression and focus. Shedding 69% of the aerial duels proves we had been missing aggression.

“I didn’t assume we’d lose after scoring 3 objectives. We will’t concede like we did. We must hold working to get well, there are a lot of factors to be picked up earlier than the top of the season. It’s true that we’re nonetheless rising, primarily in assault, we’re additionally rising in defence. When it comes to that aggression, we now have to maintain working.”