Introduction

In a controversial match that left fans buzzing, AC Milan's head coach Paulo Fonseca did not hold back in expressing his frustrations following his team’s 2-1 defeat against Fiorentina. The match featured a surprising twist as designated penalty taker Christian Pulisic did not step up for either of the two spot kicks awarded to the Rossoneri, sparking confusion and anger from the coach.

Penalty Snub and Coach's Reaction

Instead of the USMNT star, it was teammates Theo Hernández and Tammy Abraham who took charge of the penalties, both of which were spectacularly saved by newly appointed Fiorentina goalkeeper David de Gea. This unexpected choice led to Fonseca questioning his players' judgment. "Our designated penalty taker is Pulisic. I don't know why the players changed their minds. I have spoken to them and told them that this can't happen again," he stated emphatically.

Pulisic's Performance

Despite the penalty drama, Pulisic did manage to find the back of the net, equalizing for AC Milan in the 60th minute, marking his sixth goal of the season. However, he was substituted in the 81st minute for Samuel Chukwueze, raising concerns about his health as Fonseca revealed Pulisic had been managing a flexor issue earlier in the week. “We managed it, and in any case, Chukwueze created opportunities,” he explained.

Officiating Controversy

In addition to venting his frustrations over the penalty situation, Fonseca expressed his discontent with the officiating during the match, noting the three penalties awarded in total. “I don't like talking about refereeing, but this isn't football. Football is made up of contact, and one touch cannot be enough to give a penalty. This is football, not the circus. And I'm not just talking about the penalty against us, but also the ones we got,” he stated.

Moving Forward

Despite these grievances, Fonseca refused to use officiating as an excuse for his team's poor performance. "When we miss two penalties and concede a goal like the last one, it becomes difficult to win despite creating a lot," he lamented.

Conclusion

This defeat adds frustration to what has been a challenging start to Milan's season. Fans are left wondering if Fonseca’s mismanagement of penalties and issues with player fitness will derail their title aspirations. With upcoming fixtures looming, AC Milan must regroup quickly if they hope to regain momentum in the Serie A standings. Will Pulisic take charge next time, or are more surprises in store for the Rossoneri?