Alessandro Bai: Fonseca needs balance and chemistry for his AC Milan to overcome their passivity, but signs are good
MILAN: "Passivity" is one of the words new AC Milan coach Paulo Fonseca happened to use the most in his post-match press conference following the Rossoneri's 2-2 draw against Torino in their Serie A opener.
A dramatic final few minutes saw an unexpected comeback thanks to goals from Alvaro Morata and Noah Okafor, which were enough to rescue a point for the hosts but not to hide the flaws exposed by a bullish Toro.
AC Milan's defensive problems
After watching his side concede 49 goals under his predecessor Stefano Pioli last season, more than any other team in Serie A's top 10, Fonseca's main concern was probably - and understandably - to find a quick way to address their defensive issues.
While the Diavolo were renowned for their ability to win the ball high up the pitch, their aggressiveness in that area turned reckless at times, making them extremely vulnerable when their opponents managed to bypass that first line of pressure.
Such concerns are may well have affected Milan's start against Torino, with the players looking more focused on keeping their lines tight rather than winning the ball back, evidently wary of leaving spaces that the Granata could exploit.
While the strategy initially seemed to give the Rossoneri a more solid look, it only worked until Paolo Vanoli's side got lively after a timid approach.
As soon as the visitors opened the scoring, Milan started to look torn between their will to become more aggressive and push for an equaliser and the fear of getting punished for it. This was further fueled by a couple of big Torino chances that forced as many saves from Mike Maignan.
Duvan Zapata's goal after the break was just the inevitable consequence of a team that did try to press more aggressively, but eventually ended up making the same mistakes as before.
Attack is the best form of defence for Fonseca's Milan
Fonseca is aware that the passivity he mentioned is just the first step of a transition process that will take time. With his players scared to be as careless in their pressing as they were in the past, going too far the other way is probably normal early on.
The Rossoneri will need to find a balance between the two but the new coach wants to make the process smoother. The quality of his offensive players is almost unrivaled in Italy, Inter aside, and improving their efficiency will be key to scoring goals, picking up points and, therefore, confidence. All of this will eventually allow this team to shake off their fear of taking risks.
For a side that no longer wants to rely only on quick transitions and counterattacks, as they try to go forward in a more reasoned fashion, honing the chemistry between the likes of Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze will allow them to tip the balance in their favour even without perfecting everything else.
As well, the Portuguese coach has a real leader in Alvaro Morata.
"We're not happy with the draw, but we sent a different kind of signal – we looked dead and buried, but we could've won it had there been five more minutes to play," Morata said after the match. "But we'll need to work and change our mentality, because we have to win".
Morata's experience and mentality will serve as a terrific example for his teammates. Time could do the rest.