war is declared between Theo Hernandez and Paulo Fonseca

From the euphoria of success at Santiago-Bernabeu against Real Madrid in the Champions League to the intense disappointment of yet another failed match in Serie A against Cagliari (3-3). With an increasingly worrying strainer defense. AC Milan approaches this international break with a lot of regrets, reflections on decisions to be made urgently in order to try to reverse the irregular form in the league, as has already happened in Florence after the defeat against Fiorentina in last October. At the end of the match at the Unipol Domus in Sardinia, Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca pointed out his team's poor defensive phases. According to the former LOSC and Sporting coach, the problems are largely due to too many individual errors and Theo Hernández finds himself in the firing line, having been the main culprit in two of the three goals scored by Cagliari: “Theo can do better defensively, everyone can do more. We are working to fix important things. I think the whole defensive line can do more in terms of aggressiveness, aerial duels. Milan's problem today was defensive. Everyone can do more. I must say that without aggression at the moment, we cannot win when a team only makes crosses, we lose aerial duels».

The rest after this ad

This season, the French full-back is traveling on alternating currents, giving the impression of not always approaching the different matches with the right mentality. The Italian press has not been kind to him and has often pointed out a total lack of effort and a leadership style that does not suit him at the Rossoneri. There Gazzetta dello Sport even wrote in the first lines of his major article of the day: “There is a player, on the left wing of Milan, who would have the qualities to be one of the best in the world but who is now too often held back by his attitude: it is not Rafa Leão but the other tenant from the hallway, Théo Hernández“. Hernandez's season has been disappointing so far, conceding a lot of opposition goals. The technical and relational difficulties with Fonseca have been evident since day one. Serious tensions took place internally with the Portuguese coach. We particularly remember this scene where, during a refreshment break, Théo Hernandez and Rafa Leão stayed away from Fonseca's talk. During AC Milan's moments of crisis at the start of the season, Hernandez was absent too much. Sent off against Fiorentina, he even received a two-match suspension. Behavior unbecoming of a captain.

A serious punishment will fall!

Paulo Fonseca had however rewarded Théo Hernandez with the captain's armband, but he did not make good use of it: the Blues international no longer appeared as a leader, he even let himself be dragged along by certain others. He had this attitude for which Leão had been criticized at length: distracted defensively, too gentle in the tackles, too little aggressive. Flaws that the coach corrected in Rafael Leão's attitude by putting him on the bench during three consecutive matches in Serie A. Risky management but which gave the Rossoneri a decisive and active attacker in defense. Will the same treatment be reserved for Théo Hernandez? It is difficult to say today but this possibility is more than ever on the table according to information from the Gazzetta dello Sport. While the international break marks a two-week break before the resumption of the championship, AC Milan will return to school against Juventus. Putting Théo Hernandez aside from the starting XI would generate at least as much discussion as the bench reserved for Rafael Leão against Napoli. A poor form which can also worry in the French team where a deep unease is established.

The rest after this ad

Théo Hernandez sent a clear message to Milan management: he wants to stay in Milan for a long time. To achieve this, two conditions are necessary: ​​the renewal of his contract which expires in 2026 with a substantial increase in salary – currently 4 million with bonus. Beyond the misunderstandings of recent months, with the delay in negotiations and some false maneuvers, the French international must demonstrate that he deserves the status of an absolute high-level player. But above all, the former Atlético de Madrid player must demonstrate that he believes in the Rossoneri project on the pitch. Arriving in Milan 5 years ago, the native of Marseille had defensive gaps which were filled over the seasons and for this reason the errors made against Cagliari were above all mental and not technical. Big errors which can lead to major reflections from Milanese leaders regarding the renegotiation for the extension of the contract which will begin in a few weeks.