GdS: Cardinale meets the management

AC Milan have not had an optimal start to the season under new head coach Paulo Fonseca and according to a report, Gerry Cardinale met with management in Milanello yesterday.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport reported this morning, the results are worrying, but the performances and attitude of certain players are even more so. Cardinale was at the training ground yesterday and reiterated his confidence in the coach in a calm and constructive discussion.

Of course, a change of pace is needed now so that things don’t get too sour, because Cardinale is not happy, and this was made clear to the coach in the long discussion yesterday.

A fleeting visit

Cardinale was already in Italy and wanted to include a visit to Milanello in his schedule. From there he then traveled to the USA.

He also gathered the rest of the management, but did not meet with the team, which trained in the afternoon. The discussion involved CEO Furlani (with whom Cardinale then left Milanello), sporting director Moncada and, of course, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, senior advisor to the ownership.

The main point of the lunch was the slow start of the team and all the limitations that have held it back so far. Fonseca publicly took full responsibility and explained – and he did so privately with Cardinale – the reasons that, in his opinion, influenced the pace of the start.

The main factors cited were the different condition of the players in the group, the changed playing philosophy that takes time to get used to, and the absence of many players who will make up his starting eleven.

It was mentioned that Theo was on the bench against Turin due to Morata’s injury and that Emerson and Fofana have only played a few minutes on the pitch so far, in addition to the lack of time together on the training pitch.

Confidence reaffirmed

Fonseca was selected by Cardinale, who has been impressed with the Portuguese since the initial talks, and two poor games will not ruin that. However, a decisive change of pace is needed, particularly in the style of performances.

The Portuguese coach was not satisfied with many things on Saturday in the defeat against Parma and – during lunch – the post-match statements were also discussed. The discussions were constructive but it is strange when you consider that after only two games it is already necessary to sit down and talk.

The team’s next match is against Lazio, and Cardinale will be watching it on television, waiting for the first smile, because what has been seen so far has only brought disappointment. Building a new Milan inevitably requires a period of adjustment, but the Rossoneri, for example, are already five points behind Juventus.