Serie A: Milan Boss Fonseca Weighs Up Risks of Playing Fofana Against Empoli

AC Milan coach Paulo Fonseca discusses the risks of playing Youssouf Fofana against Empoli, with the midfielder one yellow card away from suspension.

AC Milan coach Paulo Fonseca has acknowledged that his team's progress is being hindered by a recurring pattern of weaknesses. “We improve in one area, but then other problems arise,” Fonseca noted, highlighting the challenges his team faces in achieving consistency.

Fonseca's concerns are reflected in Milan's last two matches, which have exposed a mix of defensive and attacking vulnerabilities. Against Juventus, Milan were solid defensively but lacked a cutting edge in attack, resulting in a 0-0 draw. In contrast, their midweek Champions League victory over Slovan Bratislava was marked by a more attacking flair, but defensive lapses allowed the opposition to score twice. Ahead of their upcoming Serie A meeting with Empoli, Fonseca is tasked with finding the right balance between defense and attack.

The Italian side took an early lead, but their advantage was short-lived as they conceded twice, forcing them to endure a tense finale as their Slovakian opponents launched a fierce push for a levelling goal.

“With Juve we were more organised, with Slovan better in transition. It seems to me that we improve in something, then other problems arise,” Fonseca told reporters.

“But it's not because you win that you have to think everything is fine by closing your eyes to the problems. I can't close my eyes, we talked about the problems.

“It's important to work on the problem. We won (against Slovan). Is everything OK? No. When we work on the problem we had in the game the team has a positive response.”

AC Milan's recent form in Serie A has been underwhelming, with the team managing only one victory in their last four league outings. As a result, they find themselves in seventh place in the standings, having accumulated 19 points from 12 matches.

The gap between Milan and league leaders Napoli is a significant one, with the Rossoneri trailing by 10 points, albeit having played one game fewer. However, an upcoming home fixture against Empoli presents an opportunity for Milan to regain momentum and narrow the deficit. Empoli, who lost both of their league encounters with Milan last season, will be looking to avenge those defeats.

“It's not easy in Italy to be dominant, it's not easy against Empoli," Fonseca said.

“What we want is balance, to feel that the team creates chances by having defensive security. In Bratislava, after scoring 0-1, there was a chance to dominate the game, but we conceded the equaliser and the team took it.”

“I expect Fofana to play an intelligent game. If Fofana makes mistakes, he makes mistakes, but I expect the others not to make mistakes.”

AC Milan's recent form in Serie A has been underwhelming, with the team managing only one victory in their last four league outings. As a result, they find themselves in seventh place in the standings, having accumulated 19 points from 12 matches.

The gap between Milan and league leaders Napoli is a significant one, with the Rossoneri trailing by 10 points, albeit having played one game fewer. However, an upcoming home fixture against Empoli presents an opportunity for Milan to regain momentum and narrow the deficit. Empoli, who lost both of their league encounters with Milan last season, will be looking to avenge those defeats.

“It's not easy in Italy to be dominant, it's not easy against Empoli,” Fonseca said.

“What we want is balance, to feel that the team creates chances by having defensive security. In Bratislava, after scoring 0-1, there was a chance to dominate the game, but we conceded the equaliser and the team took it.”

Youssouf Fofana, a crucial midfielder for AC Milan, is currently on four yellow cards. If he receives another booking during Saturday's match, he will incur a one-match suspension, forcing him to miss the team's upcoming trip to second-placed Atalanta next week.

When questioned about the possibility of resting Fofana as a precautionary measure, coach Paulo Fonseca responded, “I can't take the risk of resting him, because tomorrow is the most important game.”

“I expect Fofana to play an intelligent game. If Fofana makes mistakes, he makes mistakes, but I expect the others not to make mistakes.”