When there were finally credible rumors of Pioli being sacked, so many fans wanted Conte at Milan. Reports were that he was even Ibrahimović's first choice, but who knows if that was ever true. Well, now Conte is finally going to be at Milan, but not in the way Milan fans wanted. He comes to the San Siro as the manager of Napoli, who are four points clear at the top of the table and showing no signs of slowing down. Worse still, with the Bologna match being postponed on Saturday, Milan will be missing two key players that we otherwise would have had. Then there are new injuries, and whatever narcissistic psychological warfare Fonseca is playing with Leão. So, not great timing, but the fans asked for it, and Conte is finally here,
 |
| Conte is coming to Milan, but not in the way supporters wanted. |
While Fonseca foreshadowed this match by pointing out recently that Napoli have the advantage of not having European competition this season, De Laurentiis also hired a proper coach. One whom I personally hate, but at least have some respect for what he has accomplished. So far, he has proven to be worth the hire, with nine wins, a draw, and a loss in all competitions. His brand of tough love includes the word "love," something Fonseca has missed completely.
 |
| Conte is successful as a taskmaster because he is authentic. |
 |
| None of these three starters will start, but one is by Fonseca's choice. |
Fonseca will be missing both Theo Hernández and Reijnders to suspension. They were meant to be suspended vs. Bologna, and many people are upset at the politics of the decision not to play that game because of their suspension against a more difficult opponent, but I am far more concerned about the citizens of Bologna at this point than I am about having those two players at our disposal for this match. I mean do people honestly believe that Fonseca's Milan stand a chance against Conte's Napoli right now? Fonseca's won five of 11 matches, and a few of those were due to the luck of the VAR. So having Theo and Reijnders sit this one out at least guarantees they don't get injured on Tuesday.
Speaking of injuries, Gabbia will miss this one due to some fluid retention in the muscles in his calf. Also injured are Tammy Abraham, Jović, Bennacer, and Florenzi. So, seven players out, this seems familiar. Camarda will be called up again, Thiaw and Pavlović will play... we know that Fonseca has a wealth of players to draw from once you include the Futuro and Primavera sides. But the biggest crime is that Fonseca is insisting on not starting Leão again. He says it is not a punishment, but a tactical decision, which yet again leaves Leão wide open for the cruel speculation of the Italian media and fans. And I know Fonseca knows what he is doing. He has worked in Italy before, and he has shoved out players before.
 |
| Fonseca needs to learn the difference between skill and luck, because his luck is about to run out. |
The club is apparently starting to be worried, given that Leão is one of their highest paid players and Fonseca is not playing him. As well they should be. Yet still, they do not intervene, but reportedly put more pressure on the player. A player who has reportedly been doing everything the manager asked, including double training sessions, even though following the manager's advice has made him a less effective player.
I genuinely do not understand this mindset. You bring a subpar manager in for €2 million/year who has never won anything noteworthy, give him housing as well, he doesn't bring acceptable results, is clearly creating emotional divides within the team and wreaking psychological havoc on your star player, who is worth €75 million and is paid more than double the manager annually plus bonuses. Why is Fonseca even still here? You make a bad decision, you can see that the rot is spreading in your organization, causing very real harm, but a couple of lucky wins, and you justify keeping him? Honestly, this management of investment bankers are not even good at money. Get rid of the one, and keep the one that is worth €75 million more.
 |
| Jović's "injury" did not stop him from playing with Serbia during either international break. |
Serie A Week 10