Fonseca discusses defensive issues, formation changes and the need for results | OneFootball

AC Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca has addressed the scrutiny that he is under to achieve results, answering questions on the defensive phase and a possible change in formation.

The pressure is on Milan to perform against Venezia on Saturday night in front of what is expected to be a crowd of over 70,000 fans. They are supporters that are yet to see a win this season, something that seemed difficult to imagine after such a positive preseason.

The Rossoneri had to come from two goals down in round one against Torino to rescue a draw, then they lost 2-1 against newly-promoted Parma one week later, and again had to come from behind to earn a point against Lazio.

Venezia arrive at San Siro having struggled for results so far with just one point from three games, yet there are positives to take from each fixture they have played and they face a Milan side who they know could fold if they frustrate them.

Fonseca spoke to the reporters present at Milanello in his pre-match press conference after the training session on the eve of the game, and his comments were relayed by MilanNews.

70,000 fans are expected at San Siro tomorrow…

“After these first games it is a great declaration of love from the fans, and also a great responsibility for us to make them proud. Tomorrow we want to repay the support of our fans.”

Can Milan-Venezia be considered as important as the games against Liverpool and Inter?

“We didn’t win the first three games, now all of them are important. I’m confident as always, it’s important to win, then we’ll think about Liverpool and the derby. But we have to stay focused on tomorrow.”

Will Theo and Leao return to the starting line-up?

“I don’t know if they’ll be starters. What I saw after the national teams are two players in good condition, happy with their work.”

Do you feel under scrutiny?

“I’m always under scrutiny. Coaches depend on results. I’m only focused on my work, it can’t be otherwise. If I focus on what others say and write, it becomes difficult to work. We all have to work to improve.”

Could it be possible to see Reijnders in a more advanced position?

“Yes, we have this possibility. In the team dynamics I always try to have the players in the positions best suited to their characteristics. We didn’t deploy him further forward because we didn’t have moments in which we had possession of the ball further forward. I liked Tijji’s matches with the national team.”

How did he get out of difficult times in the past? Is there a key?

“I don’t know if there is a key. I continue with the same passion and confidence, trying to solve the problems we had in these three games. At this moment I have to think only about the team and the work to do with the players: this is the key, to concentrate on the work.”

When at Roma you decided to use a three-man defence because you were conceding too many goals. Could you repeat that?

“As for the defence, I don’t think I’ll change and play with three central defenders. Then there’s a lot of talk about midfield, 2+1 and 1+2. This is at the beginning, then the dynamics are different.

“In phase 1 we are different from phase 2. All the big teams start with 4-2-3-1, then in phase 2 they are with 3-2-5. The dynamics during the match are more important than the starting line-up.”

Have you spoken to Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the phone in the last few days?

“Yes.”

Do you know Sarri?

“For me he is the best Italian coach.”

Sarri said that Loftus-Cheek is a finished mezzala. Boban said that Milan need to play three in midfield because of the characteristics of the team. Could you consider that?

“I always respect other people’s opinions, especially if they are constructive like those of Sarri and Boban. They are opinions, but I work with the players. We don’t all have the same ideas, I have to follow what I believe in, not what others say.”

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What is your relationship with the management? What do you think about these rumours about distance and their non-presence?

“It’s hard for me to talk about this, we’re in touch every day either here, or on the phone or at dinner. I don’t understand this news when we’re always in touch.”

Were you able to work on the team’s non-possession phase during the break?

“We haven’t had many players here, but we’ve had a lot of defenders. I don’t think it’s a defensive problem. We’ve worked a lot on the behaviour of the defensive line and on individual behaviour.”

Venezia looked good against Torino, particularly on the counter, and didn’t deserve to lose. Are you ready for their counters? Is only one result possible tomorrow?

“Milan must always win, not just tomorrow. I don’t think about other results. I watched Venezia, it’s true that they are a team that is dangerous on the counter-attack.

“We had an evolution between Parma and Lazio. Against Parma we suffered, against Lazio we improved: it was not a problem of counters but of organisation. We are prepared for this situation.”

Is the team made up of many counter-attacking players? Could it be an idea to switch from a possession-based game to a counter-attack and transition game?

“That’s a good question. We believe in our ideas. With the quality we have here, I can’t believe that the players only know how to play a deep defence and to counter-attack. Big teams have the responsibility to be dominant.

“Obviously at the moment we are not as I want, it’s a big change to make. We have to improve on the many goals conceded. A team that doesn’t want to concede must keep the ball more. We are working on it, the players are understanding the importance of having the ball and managing the game with the ball.”

Does it worry you that a lot of the goals conceded are similar?

“I don’t want to talk in detail about our problems. It’s clear that we have a problem, the goals conceded were similar and we have to improve.”

Have you seen the desire to redeem in your players? Is the Scudetto still the goal?

“It remains without a doubt. It is important to say this. When we are in these moments without results we can imagine that it is a sad team and without confidence, but what I see every day is a happy team, that wants to improve.

“This is why I am always confident. Afterwards the results count, but I cannot be negative after having seen how the players work and what kind of confidence they have.”

Can Maignan be one of the team’s leaders?

“He has a strong character. He is already one of the leaders of the group, without a doubt. He is important in the dressing room, we need this type of player. Other players who have arrived now can be like this too: it is important to have players who bring character and personality to the team.”

What kind of player is Vos? Do you see him as a defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder or central midfielder?

“He started training with us this week. I had already watched him before, he confirmed that he is a quality player, he likes to have the ball and wants to have a great participation in offensive possession.

“Technically strong, he can be a mezzala and an attacking midfielder. I really liked the work he did with us this week. With Bennacer’s injury, he and Zeroli will work with the first team.”

Will tomorrow’s selection choices also be influenced by the fact that you haven’t seen many players due to their national teams?

“No. The performance of the players in the national team has been very positive, as a coach I have to take advantage of this trust that they bring with them. It will not influence my choice tomorrow.”