Fonseca: ‘Never a good moment to meet Atalanta, I understand Guardiola’ | OneFootball

Milan coach Paulo Fonseca admits it’s ‘never’ a good moment to meet Atalanta and ‘perfectly’ understands Pep Guardiola when he says that playing La Dea is like going to the dentist.

Milan visit La Dea in Bergamo tomorrow, in a big match of Serie A round 15.

“I think it’s never a good moment to meet Atalanta,” Fonseca said, smiling, during a pre-match press conference.

“But we are in a good moment, improving, and the team has confidence. We know it’s always tricky to face Atalanta. They’ve won eight games in a row, scoring 26 goals and conceding just four. It’s a very strong team, and we know it will be a tough match, but we are ready.”

Milan seem more solid defensively lately.

“The way we defend gives trust to the team. I think the team is comfortable defensively, which provides trust to attack,” said Fonseca.

“We haven’t seen a team play man-on-man for a long time. Football is cyclical, like life. Gasperini has been a pioneer in using this playing style, and now everyone in Europe is aware that it’s hard to face a team like Atalanta.

“Many teams, such as Bayern Munich and Stuttgart, play like this now. I think they do so because they’ve followed Gasperini’s ideas. Atalanta’s way of playing has become a reference in Europe.

Fonseca: ‘Never a good moment to meet Atalanta, I understand Guardiola’

Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola gestures on the touchline during the UEFA Champions League, league phase football match between Manchester City and Inter Milan at the Etihad stadium, in Manchester, north-west England, on September 18, 2024 (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

“It’s an important game but not decisive,” continued the Portuguese coach.

“It can bring positive things to the team. Winning against Atalanta would bring more confidence for the future.

“Atalanta are really strong in attack. They create so much, and it will be a good test, not only for the defensive line.”

Fonseca was asked whether ex-Milan striker Charles De Ketelaere would have extra motivation in tomorrow’s fixture.

“You see, sometimes the playing style makes a difference in the footballer,” he replied.

“Perhaps he has adapted to a different playing style, but I don’t want to talk about Atalanta players much because the collective is more important, and they are very strong collectively.

“I am 100% certain that facing a team that plays man-on-man is more difficult than one that uses zonal marking,” he continued.

“This is clear to me. The physicality of Italian football and the way of defending and finding space in Italy is not easy. There’s a lot of noise around intensity, and the Premier League is more intense, but here it’s different.”

Fonseca revealed that USMNT international Musah would start tomorrow.

“Musah will play. I think that we have prepared well for this match,” said the Milan coach.

“It will be a tactical game. It’s very easy to understand how Atalanta play, they won’t change, but it’s hard to face them because they do very well in attack and defence. I think we are prepared to face them.

“Chukwueze is adapting well, and he has an impressive attitude. He’s not stronger than Musah defensively, but he can do the same in some games.”

Would he settle for a draw in Bergamo tomorrow?

“I never think about this. Before games, I only think about winning. I don’t want to think about any other result.”

Pep Guardiola once said that facing Atalanta is like going to the dentist, and Fonseca agreed with the Manchester City coach.

“I perfectly understand what Pep said. I don’t know if it’s like going to the dentist, but it takes sacrifice and commitment.

“Perhaps he [Guardiola] said so because he goes to the dentist once per year, but here, it has become customary for me. The last game against Empoli was an example. It was different in terms of quality, but the way the play was the same.”

Fonseca has never beaten Gasperini in his career but is not seeking revenge.

“Personally, I have no special desire to beat Gasperini,” the Portuguese insisted.

“He is unique, and we must recognise his work. I have great admiration for him, and there’s nothing personal about it. I want to win this game, like any other game, and I want to prove nothing on a personal level.

“We won’t play man-on-man against Atalanta, but we can make some tactical adaptations,” added Fonseca.

“We want to dominate proceedings against all teams, but it’s hard to have an attacking initiative in games against Atalanta. To me, it’s clear that this game won’t be played close to Atalanta’s goal.”

What’s the thing that has satisfied him the most so far, and where can Milan improve?

“Many things leave me satisfied, like the players’ growth. It’s one of the most important things. Of course, I want to win, but seeing those close to me grow pleases me. It’s a privilege to be the Milan coach. I can’t say things I am not entirely satisfied with. There are things on an individual level and the collective level. I am still a bit far from where I’d like to be.”

Lastly, Fonseca provided the latest team news confirming that Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Marco Sportiello will be available, while Ismael Bennaer will soon return to group training.

“Bennacer looks more handsome; he did something with his hair,” he said, smiling.

“It was a pleasure seeing Isma. He has spent a lot of time on the sidelines. He feels well and needs some more time to return to the team. The others, including Sportiello and Loftus, are all ready.”