AC Milan coach Paulo Fonseca was left wondering why Christian Pulisic didn't take the penalty in Sunday's 2-1 away loss to Fiorentina, despite being the team's designated penalty taker.

In the match against Fiorentina, AC Milan were awarded two penalties. Fonseca was surprised to see Pulisic's teammates Theo Hernandez and Tammy Abraham take the penalties.

Both penalties were saved by Fiorentina's new goalkeeper, David De Gea. This is also the second time a goalkeeper has saved two penalties in a single Serie A game since Lazio's Maarten Martens eight years ago.

"Pulisic is our designated penalty taker," said an annoyed Fonseca. "I'm not sure why the players changed their minds." I've spoken to them and told them that this can't happen again.

Pulisic, who was on form, scored the equaliser for Milan in the 60th minute after going behind in the 35th minute.

That was his sixth goal of the season. Trailing 2-1, the American striker was replaced by Samuel Chukwueze in the 81st minute. Fonseca said American captain Pulisic had a flexor problem this week and they're still waiting to find out how bad it is.

Fonseca wasn't happy with the referee either, who gave three penalties during the match.

"I don't usually comment on referees, but this is not football," said Fonseca. He thinks that the use of VAR is making it even more difficult for players to make physical contact with each other on the field. "Football is all about contact, and one touch shouldn't be enough to award a penalty. This is football, not a circus. I'm not just talking about the penalties we were awarded, but also the penalties we weren't awarded.

However, Fonseca wasn't making excuses for his team's defeat.

"When we miss two penalties and concede the ball like we did last time, it becomes really tough to win even though we had a lot of chances," he said.

Milan's three-game winning streak in Serie A came to an end with this match, and they are currently sixth, five points behind leaders Napoli before the international break. After the international break, AC Milan will play Udinese on 20 October. Udinese has done well this season and is currently in fifth place, just one place ahead of AC Milan. Next, AC Milan will take on Belgian team Brugge in the Champions League.