Fonseca: Milan ‘affected’ by postponement of Bologna game, Leao ‘not a problem’ | OneFootball

Milan coach Paulo Fonseca feels the Rossoneri have been ‘affected’ by the postponement of the Bologna match on Saturday and insists Rafael Leao is ‘not a problem.’

Milan host Serie A leaders Napoli at San Siro on Tuesday.

The Partenopei are unbeaten in the last eight games and have collected 22 points.

“As the table shows, Napoli are a strong team at a good moment. They are the table leaders and will be motivated to face us. We are also motivated to play this match against a very strong team that has won games comfortably,” Fonseca said at a pre-match press conference on Monday.

The Partenopei secured a 1-0 win over Lecce on Saturday, while Milan didn’t play in Bologna due to adverse weather conditions.

Lega Calcio confirmed the decision just 24 hours before the kick-off after the Bologna Mayor said the Stadio Dall’Ara was unavailable.

“It was tricky to manage this moment. On the eve of the game, we trained without knowing whether we’d play or not the following day. We wanted to play, and I think we’ve been affected by not playing in this match,” said Fonseca.

Nevertheless, Milan are “entirely focused on tomorrow’s game. “That’s the past, and we must look ahead,” noted the Rossoneri boss.

The rescheduled game will not be played before January 2025, so the Serie A table in the next few months will not necessarily reflect the gap between Milan and their opponents.

“It makes no difference but affects the fans and those who look at the table,” Fonseca admitted.

“To me, it makes no difference, but I understand that it is different for people looking at the table.”

Fonseca: Milan ‘affected’ by postponement of Bologna game, Leao ‘not a problem’

Paulo Fonseca of Milan (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The postponement of the Bologna game also means that Theo Hernandez and Tijjani Reijnders will serve a one-match ban against Napoli.

“We have two important players suspended, but the team trained well. I trust all the players who will replace Theo and Tijji,” said Fonseca.

The Portuguese coach admitted that Davide Calabria “could” be adapted as a left-back to replace Theo.

“As I’ve always said, I trust all the players. We can do nothing with those who are not available. We have others, and I like to think that it’s an opportunity for them,” he added.

“As for Camarda, nothing has changed. He did well when he was introduced. He’s a good guy who works well, but he confirmed what I think about him. He’s a player with a great future ahead.”

The promising striker is expected to be available tomorrow as Tammy Abraham and Luka Jovic have yet to recover from injuries.

Rafael Leao spent the previous Serie A game against Udinese on the bench and was subbed off against Club Brugge last week.

“Today, I won’t reveal any starters,” said Fonseca.

“I understand the curiosity around Leao. He’s worked well, as always. He’s not a problem. We are confident that he’ll soon be the player we expect and he expects. I don’t want to say whether he’ll start tomorrow.”

But why has the talented winger struggled this season?

“Because the coach doesn’t give him playing time; if he would, there would be no issues,” joked Fonseca.

“These situations are typical in football.”

The Portuguese coach insisted that the decision to replace Leao after 60 minutes against Brugge was “based on what the game required at that moment, and it wasn’t a punishment.”

Are Napoli the favourites to win the title?

“Right now, they are the best team,” argued Fonseca.

“I think Napoli are one of the teams that can win the title.”

However, Milan are also among the Scudetto contenders.

“I think so. The fans must believe because we are a strong team and we are improving. We think we can fight for the Scudetto.”

Fonseca reiterated that facing Antonio Conte, a coach Milan fans wanted last summer, won’t give him extra motivation.

“My motivation comes from being the Milan coach,” he said.

“Tomorrow, it will be a different and balanced game against a team that defends well.

“Perhaps we’ll need to play more in the final 30 meters tomorrow. We must improve our ability to face teams that usually defend with a low block, but I think we have already improved in many things.”

Lastly, Fonseca admitted that Milan and Napoli’s “most decisive players” are the wingers and revealed his favourite role for Christian Pulisic: “Generally, you know I like it more when Christian plays inside the pitch.”