Fonseca explains surprising new Milan choices against Verona | OneFootball

Paulo Fonseca explains his Milan choices against Hellas Verona, including Theo Hernandez on the bench and Filippo Terracciano in a new role. ‘Theo needs to wait for his chance.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Bentegodi at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The injury crisis is growing with eight players ruled out, including Alvaro Morata with tonsillitis, so Tammy Abraham starts upfront with Tijjani Reijnders in a more advanced role.

“Morata is the only striker who can also help out defensively and almost act as a trequartista, because he can time the runs and spaces, whereas Abraham and Camarda are more centre-forwards,” Fonseca told DAZN.

“If we have a problem with Abraham, we don’t have anyone to replace him, so that’s why Camarda is on the bench.”

Theo Hernandez is also on the bench for the second game in a row after the 0-0 with Genoa, replaced by Milan Futuro full-back Alex Jimenez.

“Yes, Theo is with us, I think Jimenez had a really good game and it is only fair he continues playing. Theo worked well, he needs to wait for his chance.”

The coach was asked specifically if it was a physical issue, a tactical or psychological one behind dropping Theo Hernandez.

“It is a fitness matter.”

Fonseca outlines new Milan role for Terracciano

The big surprise is using full-back Terracciano in the midfield two with Youssouf Fofana, a very different role for the ex-Verona man.

“Pippo regularly trains with us as a midfielder, he is a very intelligent player who understands that role and without other options – just Liberali, and Zeroli who only had two days of training – it’s a different game against a team that man-marks, is more aggressive. I thought Pippo was a good solution to start,” explained Fonseca.

The Rossoneri have just one victory in their last five Serie A games and were subjected to protests from angry fans camped outside the event to celebrate the club’s 125th anniversary.

While coach Fonseca and a couple of players were spared, most of the anger was aimed at the club owners and star names like Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez.

With that perhaps in mind, Milan have given the captain’s armband to Mike Maignan this evening, one of the few men who weren’t jeered.