Fonseca: ‘Milan solid with this system, not easy to drop Tomori’ | OneFootball

Paulo Fonseca explains why he believes this is the right tactical system for Milan against Crvena Zvezda in the Champions League and it is ‘not easy’ for him to drop Fikayo Tomori.

It kicks off at San Siro at 20.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Juventus-Manchester City and Benfica-Bologna on the Liveblog.

The Rossoneri got themselves back on track in the Champions League with three victories in a row after losing the opening two, including their 3-2 thriller away to Real Madrid.

However, domestically they’re coming off Friday’s defeat to Atalanta, which saw the coach hit the headlines by ranting about the refereeing.

Fonseca sees Milan on right track

epa11697998 AC Milan’s coach Paulo Fonseca prior to the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Monza and AC Milan at U-Power Stadium in Monza, Italy, 02 November 2024. EPA-EFE/ROBERTO BREGANI

“We all understand how important this match is, this competition, and we have a big opportunity, so we must make the most of it with ambition. It’s a moment where we can do well and obviously this gives a great deal of motivation to the players,” Fonseca told Sky Sport Italia.

Milan have shown a tendency to slip up against the so-called smaller clubs this season, so is there the risk of taking Crvena Zvezda – also known as Red Star Belgrade – too lightly after Real Madrid?

“Red Star are not an easy team to deal with. This is a competition where everyone is more motivated and we don’t need to do anything special to get them focused, as I know the players really want to win this game.”

Ruben Loftus-Cheek steps into the trequartista role for injured Christian Pulisic, so the 4-2-3-1 formation remains the same with Yunus Musah in a hybrid role between midfield and attack.

“I think the team is doing well with this system and Musah helping out. I am sure the side is more solid defensively and no longer feels those moments of uncertainty. I like the way the team is defending and I think this system can help them.”

In the Sky Sport Italia studio, Fabio Capello asked Fonseca why Fikayo Tomori has not been playing that much recently, having been a key figure in the Scudetto campaign.

“It is very difficult for me to make these decisions on central defenders when I think they are all in good shape. It is not easy for me to leave Tomori or Pavlovic out, but at this moment the team is solid with Gabbia and Malick there.

“It’s not that Tomori hasn’t played recently, he did in the most recent Champions League game, but it’s just what is happening at this moment. He has to keep working, as he is an important player for us and I am sure he will return to the side soon,” concluded Fonseca.