AC Milan 1-0 Udinese
AC Milan boss Paulo Fonseca left Portuguese star Rafael Leão on the bench for the entirety of this weekend’s win over Udinese, during which his side survived playing most of the game with ten men to secure victory.
Milan were leading through Samuel Chukwueze’s early strike (13’) when midfielder Tijani Reijnders was handed a straight red card in the 29th minute for being adjudged to have tripped Sandi Lovric when the last man. The decision was hotly contested, but VAR confirmed the on-field call and Milan were forced to play close to 70 minutes with a numerical disadvantage.
Tiago Santos is unlikely to play again this season after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during training with Lille.
Lille right-back Tiago Santos has recently drawn comparisons with Brazil legend Dani Alves. It is therefore no surprise that Alves’ former club Barcelona are being linked with a move for the Portuguese.
One of the more positive early-season stories concerning Portuguese abroad has been the form of full-back Nuno Tavares at Lazio, where the former Benfica man has been drawing many admirers.
Things are far from certain for Paulo Fonseca at AC Milan, as the Portuguese manager navigates a mixed beginning to life at San Siro.