The momentary break for hydration on the soccer field should have been a crucial opportunity for Milan, a time to regroup and strategize for a final push in their match against Lazio. After all, they had just managed to equalize the score at 2-2, with Rafael Leão scoring a goal from a pass by Tammy Abraham shortly after both players came off the bench.

As the players gathered around manager Paulo Fonseca for water and tactical instructions with just over 15 minutes left in the game, all eyes turned to Leão and Theo Hernández. Instead of joining their teammates, the two players huddled on the opposite side of the field.

Hernández later attempted to downplay the situation, stating, “We had only been on the field for two minutes, so we didn’t feel the need for a cooling break. It was not meant as a sign of disrespect towards the team or the manager.” Fonseca supported this explanation, saying, “There was no issue that needed addressing during that break.”

However, Hernández’s actions seemed contradictory as he still took advantage of the break to grab a drink on the far side of the pitch. Former Milan captain Massimo Ambrosini expressed skepticism during his analysis on Dazn, describing the incident as “unsettling” and “indicative of underlying tension that should not be ignored.”

Fonseca had made a bold decision by not starting Leão and Hernández in the match. Leão, the highest-paid and most prominent player on the team, had an impressive record of 15 goals and 14 assists last season, while Hernández was known for his attacking runs from defense that created scoring opportunities. However, both players had been underperforming in the early stages of the season, with Milan only managing a draw against Torino and suffering a loss to newly-promoted Parma. Hernández, in particular, was criticized for his defensive errors that led to goals in the match against Parma.

The tension between the players and the manager, as well as their individual struggles on the field, raised questions about the cohesion and morale within the Milan squad. Despite their talent and potential, Leão and Hernández needed to address their shortcomings and work together to help the team achieve success in the upcoming matches.