Paulo Fonseca after Milan’s 2-2 draw against Torino: “We were passive, lacking intensity”

New Milan boss Paulo Fonseca has stated that the Rossoneri were quite passive in the first half of their 2-2 draw against Torino, as they opened their Serie A campaign with a draw.

Inter too were held to a 2-2 draw by Genoa earlier today, but the draws came in different manners. While Genoa equalised in stoppage time, Milan scored two late goals to turn the tie around when it was 2-0 and the game seemed dead and buried after Duvan Zapata’s goal in the second half.

Fonseca, who managed the club for the first time officially, had some criticism for the performance in the first half and also stated that the defence could’ve been less passive.

He told Sky (via MilanNews): “I didn’t expect us to be perfect now, but I have to say that in the first 45 minutes we were passive, lacking intensity. Then we were more aggressive up front, having enough opportunities to win the match. We have to keep working, there is a lot to improve.”

The Portuguese further said, shedding light on the structural issue in the backline: “I think it’s a collective problem, not a problem of defenders but a collective one. The team must improve defensively, it’s a bit passive while I want it to be more aggressive in recovering the ball. We left time and space for Torino to play the first phase calmly.”

He also had some praise for Rafael Leao and how he did defensively, stating: “Rafa was a different player defensively today. He worked well defensively. After a player like him, he must always be close to the goal, he must be more dynamic, active.”

Milan’s next game will see them take on newly promoted Parma, who were also held to a draw earlier today.

Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN