Fonseca: ‘Milan must win in Bratislava to give Real Madrid victory meaning’ | OneFootball

Paulo Fonseca explains why he made seven changes for Milan against Slovan Bratislava and the search for consistency in the Champions League. ‘The victory with Real Madrid only means something if we win here.’

It kicks off at the Narodny Futbalovy Stadion at 17.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Inter-RB Leipzig and Young Boys-Atalanta on the Liveblog.

This has been a very inconsistent campaign, able to beat Real Madrid 3-1 at the Bernabeu, yet then draw back-to-back in Serie A against Cagliari and Juventus.

The pressure is on them to win today, as Slovan Bratislava have zero points in the Champions League, scoring two goals and conceding 15 in four games.

“We have so many games, the players also had international duty, so we need to rest everyone and also try to win the match. I am the first who wants to win, I don’t think anyone wants to win more than me,” Fonseca told Sky Sport Italia.

“I chose a team that I believe can get the victory here.”

Fonseca trying to find Milan consistency

Davide Calabria and team mates of AC Milan applaud the fans followi the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 23, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

There are seven changes from the side that bored the San Siro crowd senseless in a 0-0 draw with Juventus, so how can Milan avoid a similar performance?

“We talked about that game, but must also understand that playing against Juve is very specific. It will be totally different here. We must respect our opponents and realise these are three very important points,” continued Fonseca.

“Florenzi said something in the dressing room that makes great sense to me. The victory in Real Madrid only means something if we manage to win here too. I like that attitude.”

Alvaro Morata is suspended and Luka Jovic out for a month following surgery, so Tammy Abraham leads the attack, but Rafael Leao is dropped in favour of Noah Okafor.

Davide Calabria and Strahinja Pavlovic return to the defence, despite the fact Matteo Gabbia was expected to start.

Fonseca was asked if Milan are targeting a play-off spot in this Champions League table or aiming to surge into the top eight and earn direct access to the Round of 16.

“I think we must take it one game at a time. We can think about the rest later. If we don’t win here, the others become irrelevant, this has to be the most important match,” concluded the coach.

“I think every game is different, but the points are worth the same, so we must seek the right motivation to get three points every time.”