AC Milan are still searching for their first win of the season in mid-September, and there is a very important trio of games straight after the break starting with tomorrow night’s match against Venezia.
La Gazzetta dello Sport recall how the ‘crisis unit had already been called’ after the defeat in Parma. The management gathered at Milanello, with Gerry Cardinale at the head of the table, to analyse the problems and find solutions.
The first warning light on the dashboard suddenly appeared – after a very positive pre-season and good results against prestigious opponents – following the draw with Torino which required a heroic comeback. The defeat in Parma and letting a lead slip against Lazio deepened things further.
Three points against Venezia are needed to at least get going before the Champions League opener against Liverpool and the derby against Inter in the days that follow. Gerry Cardinale will be in the crowd, after watching the Berlusconi Trophy, Parma and Lazio games from the stands.
The founder of RedBird Capital in this period is close to the team and, at the same time, his physical presence also helps him to understand certain dynamics firsthand. A lot depends on the management, and while Cardinale is not a boss who starts discussing tactics with the coach, he has a sense for when things are going badly.
The million dollar question is obvious: what would Fonseca’s situation be if results did not improve? In pure theory, Fonseca could stay in his job even with three defeats. Then there is practice, which brings with it all its variables: performance levels, tactical management, response from the players and more.
We can start by saying that even if the three points against Venezia were not obtained, nothing would happen. There would be a storm of course but he would not lose his job, mostly due to a question of proximity to the Champions League and the derby.
Those two games could yield a different outcome, because this ownership cares a lot about a good European standing, while the fanbase would be devastated by a seventh consecutive derby defeat to the extent that the discontent would be colossal.
In such a scenario it is reasonable to think that some careful consideration would be made at the top levels of the management, but in all these reasonings it is always necessary to keep in mind the corporate philosophy of RedBird.
The American fund do not like changes on the fly at all (as shown by the management of the Stefano Pioli situation, who was allowed to finish the season), above all because changing coach after three months would be equivalent to certifying the failure of a project that has just started. Results, though, are the only currency.
