Tammy Abraham’s name ended up in the newspaper columns for the wrong reasons after the defeat to Fiorentina, and Paulo Fonseca now hopes to get the best out of him.
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La Gazzetta dello Sport report that Abraham’s behaviour in Florence shocked everyone. After Milan had been awarded a second penalty he received the ball from his old friend Tomori, pushing away the actual penalty taker Christian Pulisic and then failing to convert.
It was an unedifying scene, ugly in personal terms and one that projected the idea of a lack of respect for the coach and for Pulisic. The break was also useful for reflecting on it, because Fonseca might make strong decisions in view of the Udinese game on Saturday by benching the striker.
The coach asked his centre-forward for explanations, he obviously reiterated that from 12 yards (and not only there) there are pre-defined hierarchies to adhere to, so now the choice of whether to start him on Saturday will display whether he has gone for ‘punishment or forgiveness’.
Strictly speaking about the pitch, Abraham up front with Alvaro Morata in support is a formula that is working; in overall terms, the coach must understand whether keeping the Englishman on the bench for behavioural reasons would be the right medicine or if it would jeopardise the result.
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What filters from those who work with Abraham every day at Milanello is that what happened in the second half against Fiorentina was uncharacteristic, and that he is determined to have a season of personal redemption.
It has taken little time to endear himself to the Rossoneri fans, even if he has yet to net from open play. His spirit of sacrifice, help in the non-possession phase, movement and his positive attitude are all redeeming qualities.
Since his time with Roma the former Chelsea man has been regarded as always cheerful, always with the group and always available to help on the pitch. In order to turn his dry loan into something more, he will have to show more of that in the months to come.
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