Fonseca discusses Liverpool’s strengths, rotation and Milan’s need to be ‘perfect’ | OneFootball

AC Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca believes that his side can take confidence from the win over Venezia but cannot get carried away as they now face one of the best teams in Europe.

After a difficult start to the season the pressure on Fonseca and Milan was somewhat released by Saturday night’s 4-0 victory against Venezia at San Siro, one in which the four-goal lead was established inside half an hour.

Theo Hernandez and Youssouf Fofana were the first two to score, with the former netting thanks to a goalkeeping error and the latter credited with a goal from a corner after a ricochet. Then Venezia conceded two silly penalties, which Christian Pulisic and Tammy Abraham tucked away.

The result certainly helps restore some confidence and was good for managing energy ahead of a tough couple of games to come, but all fans are aware that the Liverpool and Inter matches will give a much more concrete indicator of progress (or lack of).

Fonseca spoke on the eve of the game against Arne Slot’s side at his pre-match press conference at Milanello, assessing the current moment that his side are in. His comments were relayed by MilanNews.

The great nights at San Siro have their own history and the Milan fans are even more intense in the Champions League. Do you think the warmth of the fans can also have an impact?

“I’m sure so, the support of our fans is always important to us, as it was on Saturday when we arrived at the stadium, during and after the game. The support of our fans is fundamental for us. We need to feel the love of our fans.”

Did the victory against Venezia and the confidence boost help you find the right path? Was it the turning point?

“I think victories always bring confidence to players and fans. It will be a different match. It is important to have won against Venezia, I think we were growing even before Saturday but victories bring confidence above all to the players.”

More Stories / The Match

MN: The latest on Calabria and Thiaw from Milanello ahead of Liverpool game

16 September 2024, 17:00

Fonseca, Ibrahimovic and Moncada chat before pre-Liverpool training – video

16 September 2024, 16:10

GdS: Fonseca to tweak Milan side again vs. Liverpool – the changes

16 September 2024, 15:45

What are Liverpool’s strengths, and what are the mistakes not to be repeated against them?

“They are a great team, they are one of the strongest teams in Europe at the moment. They have a very strong positional game and individuals that we all know. We will have to be a defensively perfect team to win.

“In the Champions League against this type of team we cannot make mistakes. If we make one mistake they’ll score. We will have to be a complete team in defence to then be able to attack with stability. At the moment, for me, they are one of the strongest teams in Europe.”

Will tomorrow’s match tell where Milan are at?

“I see tomorrow’s game as an opportunity for the team to show that they are learning and growing. It’s a great opportunity to play against Liverpool, it brings different things to what we have here in Serie A and gives the players a chance to show how they are growing.”

In the time after the match against Venezia, did you have the chance to talk with Cardinale? What did you say?

“I always talk to Gerry, before and after the games we are always in contact, it’s normal. What we talked about stays between us.”

Zlatan spoke to you before and after the game against Venezia, in his opinion are there things that can be done better?

“With Zlatan I spoke about what we normally talk about: the atmosphere, the match, the team. Nothing different.”

Can the same players play against Liverpool and Inter or not?

“The same players can play but I can also have the possibility of changing in my head (laughs). This week we have three games and I have to think about all the games. Tomorrow is the most important because it is the next one, but I cannot forget that we have the derby in the next Serie A game.”

Is something changing in your approach, i.e. moving from seeking domination to balance?

“They know that the first thing I talk about is that the best defence is not losing the ball. I really believe that in the future this team can be very dominant. We are already doing something, but I want to be even more so.

“For me, defending well means not losing the ball, then when we don’t have the ball it’s important to have a team that defends well together, especially in these games.”

Do you agree that Liverpool are the favourites tomorrow?

“A question that is always very particular for me. We can say everything, words are words, what matters is what we do on the pitch. What we feel is the most important thing, what we feel is that we can and want to win against Liverpool.”

Is tomorrow destined to be Theo and Leao’s night?

“All the games have to be Theo, Leao, Alvaro and team nights. We talk a lot about individuals when for me the most important thing is to play as a team. Obviously when we are strong as a team, individuals are more able to do things. I like talking about the team more.”

Did you like the positions that Reijnders and Loftus-Cheek occupied against Venezia?

“I liked this structure, we can see it again in the future. Obviously every game has a different strategy. I liked it not only offensively but also defensively. Positional play is important for me. Now we have to improve the connections between the various players, but I liked it.”

What new things have you discovered about Youssouf Fofana after a month of coaching him?

“Fofana arrived later, we don’t have much time to work with him, we can’t expect a perfect Fofana now: also because he plays a different role than the one he did at Monaco.

“He’s improving important details, I see him growing. I believe in him a lot, he’ll be very important for the team, but we have to understand that he arrived now and needs time to adapt to Serie A, which is different from France.”

What are the differences between Klopp’s Liverpool and Slot’s Liverpool ?

“Slot has arrived now and they also have different players. I think there are not many differences. They have things that are very similar like the way they defend. The game on the wings is very different, while the way they recover the ball and attack high is very similar.”

You play with three midfielders – with Bennacer’s injury are you a bit short in that department?

“No, I think we have a lot of midfielders. We had Bennacer’s injury but we also have a lot of young players like Zeroli, Vos who has just arrived and is very good. I think we have good players in this position.”

In case of victory against Liverpool and Inter, are you willing to bring us some pastel de nata?

“(Laughs) If I win the two games I bring to the conference I promise I will bring you pastel de nata [a Portuguese pastry for special celebrations].”