Terim tips Milan to challenge for title and praises Fonseca’s ‘modern, attacking football’ | OneFootball

Fatih Terim believes that AC Milan have made a good appointment with Paulo Fonseca, and he expects them to challenge for the Scudetto this season.

Terim was a Galatasaray player for over 10 years and a Turkey international for nearly a decade before starting a managerial career which has seen him take charge of those two sides plus Fiorentina and Panathanaikos most recently.

He replaced caretaker manager Cesare Maldini in June 2001 at Milan and brought in a 4-3-1-2 system which saw Rui Costa become the focal point, but was sacked after just five months due to poor results and he was replaced by Carlo Ancelotti.

Terim spoke during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport published on the morning of the game at the Stadio Artemio Franchi and he spoke about his two former clubs.

Tonight is a game with a particular meaning for you…

“Yes, Fiorentina against Milan, my two favorite teams in Serie A. Do you know that as coach of La Viola I beat Milan twice and then on the Rossoneri bench I defeated Fiorentina on the only occasion I met them? Yes, it’s really my match: I’ve never lost it, whether I was the coach of one or the other.”

In Serie A there is no runaway leader yet…

“True, although in the end we know which teams can aspire to the crown. Inter, Juventus, Napoli who are without European competitions and are currently in the lead. And Milan, of course.”

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Is Fonseca worthy of the Scudetto?

“I like him a lot, both as a coach and as a person. You can see that he always wants to play modern, attacking football that is also pleasant to watch. And then he is polite in his ways and words.”

It’s a bit strange to hear Terim praising a coach for his moderate tone…

“Everyone has their own character or personality. Fonseca is very elegant, rightly so as to be a gentleman in his behaviour.”

Yet, if he hadn’t won the derby, he could have already been sacked…

“Yes, because time passes, but the logic of football is always the same. There is no patience, rarely is a good coach allowed to work. But luckily Fonseca beat Inter, a bit like I did…”

But that wasn’t enough for you…

“Let’s leave it, so many years have passed now that everything is statute of limitations (laughs). Let’s talk about today’s Milan, even at Leverkusen in the Champions League I saw them doing well, growing a lot.”

The fans would like something more especially from Leao.

“I think they mean it as teamwork and I understand them a little. But talented players like Leao, good in one-on-one situations, should be judged differently from others and left free. I like Rafa, when he gets fired up he always invents something.”

Photo By AC Milan

Even with Fiorentina, something more is always expected.

“I know the Fiorentina fans and their passion. And I also know that in the past they have seen great football and many champions. But I can guarantee that the current management are really good, I had the chance to talk to them and hear their projects.

“And then, in the last two years La Viola have played three finals and inaugurated a fantastic structure like Viola Park, it’s not like we haven’t seen anything, eh.”

Fiorentina, like Milan, have started a new project with Palladino, and there too it started with ups and downs…

“Normal. When you change coach and so many players, as happened with Fiorentina and Milan in the summer, it takes time. It’s the usual story. But it seems to me that Fiorentina play good football overall.”

What do you expect from tonight’s game?

“To have fun. They are two teams that try to play the game and attack.”