In many ways, the international break could not have come at a better time for AC Milan. However, it also arrives at a time when stability is needed, and Paulo Fonseca must manage the situation perfectly with difficult waters ahead.
Opening a season with two points in three games is poor for any club. For Milan? Calamitous. Stars are underperforming, key players are underperforming. Any sense of positivity from pre-season has disappeared, and Fonseca’s tactics have not translated to the Serie A season.
Therefore, the break, theoretically, offers a chance for the Portuguese coach to revitalise himself and take to the drawing board to find a solution. Unfortunately, several of his squad are missing due to international commitments.
Most of the European fixtures take place during this weekend, so an early return is on the cards. However, Yunus Musah and Christian Pulisic are set to return towards the end of the week, and Fonseca must manage the latter perfectly because the Rossoneri have three vital games in a week.
As Gazzetta dello Sport (via Milan News) recalls, a similar situation was in place last season, and Pulisic was chosen to start the returning game, albeit against Inter, and he played ‘one of his worst games’ in a Rossoneri shirt.
Therefore, Fonseca must prevent this, and his idea is to offer the American a chance from the bench -where he would still be available, but not required – allowing him to be in the best condition against Liverpool.
