Fonseca: ‘Milan-Liverpool right game for Rafael Leao’ | OneFootball

Paulo Fonseca believes tonight’s Champions League clash with Liverpool is ‘a game with the right characteristics’ for Rafael Leao to turn on the style at Milan.

It kicks off at San Siro at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Juventus-PSV Eindhoven on the LIVEBLOG.

Worryingly, it is nowhere near a full house this evening, as Milan fans have been very frosty on Fonseca’s appointment.

“It is always wonderful to play here in front of our fans and their support is very important,” the coach told Sky Sport Italia.

“It is a big game against a great team, we expect to put in a good performance to make our supporters proud.”

The Rossoneri had started the season very badly with just two points from three Serie A rounds, but got their first win on Saturday, sweeping Venezia aside 4-0.

There are several changes from the side that won that game, including the return of Alvaro Morata, Davide Calabria and Fikayo Tomori.

Fonseca still tinkering with new Milan side

Fonseca was asked whether they will be set out with a three-man midfield or a 4-2-3-1 formation.

“I think structure is important, but not the most important thing. We want to have clear intentions, I liked the most recent performance, but this will be very different because the opponents have very different characteristics.

“We want to play our game and it will take a very strong collective performance.”

Rafael Leao has shown his best and worst so far this season, dropped against Lazio and then providing a sensational bit of skill to set up Theo Hernandez for the Venezia game.

“The motivation of the players is always very high. Rafa has always done well in the Champions League and we expect him to be decisive today, because it is a game with the right characteristics for Rafa.”

He will be up against Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is very good going forward, but has often struggled defending.