Fonseca: ‘Milan now balanced in defence and better in attack’ | OneFootball

Paulo Fonseca admits he was ‘furious’ at the referee during Milan’s 3-0 victory against Empoli, but finding their defensive stability has allowed them to be ‘better in attack too.’

The coach seemed unusually agitated on the touchline this evening and was booked for dissent too, so perhaps he was concerned after back-to-back Serie A draws with Cagliari and Juventus.

It turned into quite a comfortable game, as Alvaro Morata turned in before Tijjani Reijnders bagged a brace to secure the 3-0 victory at a foggy San Siro.

“I have to be honest, I was really angry at that moment. I was pretty damn furious,” he said on DAZN using an Italian swearword that he quickly apologised for.

“I think we put in a very good performance, both in attack and defence. This is what it means to play for the team, come off the bench and sacrifice yourself for the squad. We won 3-0, but had the chances to score six or seven goals, so we have to improve our decision-making in attack to make more of those chances.

“I am very, very satisfied with the squad today.”

Fonseca finding new tactical movements for Milan

epa11750076 Milan�s Tijjani Reijnders (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring the 3-0 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Empoli FC, in Milan, Italy, 30 November 2024. EPA-EFE/Daniel Dal Zennaro

Rafael Leao kept cutting inside from the left more often than usual to spread the Empoli defenders, so was that a specific tactic from Fonseca?

“We created a lot today, it was not easy against an Empoli side that defends in a different way, so we required that mobility and it was not just Rafa, but Emerson, Musah and others moving around to open up the spaces.”

Fonseca was asked if this was the most complete and balanced performance of his tenure at Milan so far.

“We were balanced at all times, we didn’t just attack well, but were also very confident in defence. The performance against Juventus was solid too, I felt that we were comfortable and never seemed to be in danger, so that is important to have that stability, it allows us to then attack better.”

Milan are back in action on Tuesday in the Coppa Italia semi-final against Sassuolo, then face Atalanta in a huge Serie A showdown on Friday.

It was put to Fonseca that Mike Maignan was used as something of a sweeper-keeper against Empoli and could have a similar role when facing Gian Piero Gasperini’s side.

“I cannot say now! Obviously, these are teams with some similarities and obviously we need to study Atalanta carefully. Against this type of side, Mike is an extra outfield player,” confessed the coach.

“The role of the goalkeeper is different now in modern football and when we are up against man for man teams, he can be decisive with this ability to start our attacking moves.”