Fonseca: Milan are a Champions League team, ‘no doubt’ on Serie A future | OneFootball

Milan coach Paulo Fonseca is adamant that his side will finish in ‘a different’ position in Serie A, but admitted that the Rossoneri ‘are a team for the Champions League’ as they gear up for Wednesday’s home meeting with Red Star.

The Diavolo currently sit 16th with nine points in the competition’s group phase, but a win could see their chances of finishing in the top eight significantly increased, which is something Fonseca admitted they are ‘thinking about’.

While Red Star recorded four defeats from their four opening Champions League games, they recently bounced back with a large victory over Stuttgart, leading Fonseca to urge his men not to underestimate the Serbian outfit.

epa11742242 Rafael Leao (R) of AC Milan scores the 1-2 lead against goalkepeer Dominik Takac (L) of Bratislava during the UEFA Champions League match between Slovan Bratislava and AC Milan in Bratislava, Slovakia, 26 November 2024. EPA-EFE/JAKUB GAVLAK

Fonseca: Champions League a ‘different motivation’ for Milan

“They’re a tough opponent, they have only three points but come off a 5-1 victory against Stuttgart,” the Portuguese manager said at a pre-match press conference, as quoted by Tuttomercatoweb.

“Red Star are a physical team that tries to play, but their strength lies in the counterattack. They have three good and fast forwards, and they are a very dangerous team on the counter.

“The Champions League is always a different competition, it’s a different motivation.

“The way we prepare for games is the same because we always want to win. The opponents, the structures, and the strategies change.

“In my mind, I know the prestige of Milan in Europe and how important it is to do well in the Champions League because Milan are a team for the Champions League.

“The most important thing is to win the next match, but I can’t say we’re not thinking about getting into the top eight.”

When presented with Milan’s gap in performances between Serie A and the European stage, Fonseca claimed he remains confident that the Rossoneri are ‘improving’.

“We’re working to change that,” he conceded.

“I’m here and I continue to believe we’re improving, and we’ll end up in a different position.

“I have no doubt about this, which is why I keep working every day with the same confidence and positivity that I’ve had from day one.

“I understand, if we look at the standings, the feelings of the fans. But we are working to improve.

“These are completely different games, but in the league, we are getting closer every day to what we’re doing in the Champions League.”

epa11691241 AC Milan�s head coach Paulo Fonseca gestures during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli, in Milan, Italy, 29 October 2024. EPA-EFE/DANIEL DAL ZENNARO

Asked about Wednesday’s line-up, the former Roma boss said he won’t make any tweaks in defence and is not considering fielding two strikers from the start.

“Maybe we’ll change something, but not the centre-backs,” he explained.

“Recently, we’ve improved a lot defensively. The Bratislava game was a particular one, but the team have learned a lot defensively, and I’m sure we’ll do well tomorrow because the team is in much better shape.

“Tomorrow, Morata and Abraham won’t play together. I’ve thought about it, but definitely not from the start.”

Fonseca also revealed that Ruben Loftus-Cheek will replace the injured Christian Pulisic, despite their different characteristics.

“They’re different players, but the role is the same, and I want the same things,” he added.

“We can do the same things with Pulisic. In the Champions League, the games are a bit more open, so there might be more space for him.”