Milan Boss Paulo Fonseca Explains Reasons Behind Benching Theo Hernandez

Milan manager Paulo Fonseca explained his decision to bench star left-back Theo Hernandez for the second Serie A game on the trot. The under-pressure Rossoneri boss addressed the media after overseeing a hard-earned 1-0 win at Hellas Verona.

Fonseca deployed up-and-coming Spaniard Alejandro Jimenez as left-back at Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi amid Hernandez’s uncertain future at Milan.

The 19-year-old started over the French superstar in last weekend’s tepid 0-0 home draw against Genoa, surpassing one of Europe’s most highly-rated offensive-minded full-backs in the pecking order.  

However, following a relatively uneventful performance against the Griffins, Jimenez went from strength to strength in Veneto. He was among the most exciting performers as Tijjani Reijnders inspired Milan to a precious victory against the bottom-half strugglers.

“Jimenez is the first choice at the moment because he started the last two matches,” the Milan boss said after the game, as reported by MilanNews. “Alex worked hard, he was decisive and he needs to continue like this. We need someone with this energy and this desire to run hard. Whether he’s a kid or not, that doesn’t interest me.

Jimenez started as a left-back. However, after Rafael Leao’s injury midway through the first half, the prodigious teenager moved higher up the pitch and excelled.

“He just has to keep going like this. We’ll see in what position, as today he also played in a more advanced wide role,” Fonseca finished.

Milan will take on Claudio Ranieri’s resurgent Roma side in their last league game of 2024 a week from now.

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