Paulo Fonseca, the AC Milan head coach, spoke to the media today in a press conference ahead of the match tomorrow against Venezia. Here are his words:
70,000 fans are expected at San Siro vs Venezia...
"After these first matches, it’s a great declaration of love from the fans, and it’s also a big responsibility for us to make them proud. Tomorrow, we want to repay our fans' support."
Can this Milan-Venezia match be considered as important as the games against Liverpool and Inter?
"We didn’t win the first three matches, so now all of them are important. I’m as confident as always; it’s important to win, and after that, we’ll think about Liverpool and the derby. But we must stay focused on tomorrow."
On Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao, Fonseca commented:
"I don’t know if they will start. From what I’ve seen after the international break, they are two players in good shape, cheerful in their work."
Do you feel under scrutiny?
"I’m always under scrutiny. Coaches depend on results. I’m focused only on my job; it can’t be any other way. If I focus on what others say and write, it becomes hard to work. We all need to work to improve."
Will we see Tijjani Reijnders in a more advanced position?
"Yes, we have that option. In the team’s dynamics, I always try to put players in the positions that best suit their characteristics. We haven’t played him further forward because we haven’t had moments where we had possession higher up the field. I liked Tijji’s performances for the national team."
How have you gotten through difficult moments in the past? Is there a key?
"I don’t know if there’s a key. I continue with the same passion and confidence, trying to solve the problems we’ve had in these three matches. Right now, I must focus only on the team and the work with the players: that’s the key, focusing on the work."
In Rome, you decided to defend with three when you were conceding too many goals. Could this happen at Milan?
"Regarding defense, I don’t think I’ll change and play with three central defenders. There’s a lot of talk about the midfield, 2+1 or 1+2. That’s just the start; then the dynamics change. In phase 1, we’re different from phase 2. All the big teams start with a 4-2-3-1, then in phase 2 they’re in a 3-2-5. The dynamics during the match are more important than the initial setup."
Have you spoken to Zlatan Ibrahimovic in these past days?
"Yes."
Do you know Maurizio Sarri?
"For me, he’s the best Italian coach."
Sarri said Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a complete mezzala. Zvonimir Boban said the team should play with three in midfield given its characteristics. Is a change in that direction possible?
"I always respect the opinions of others, especially when they’re constructive like Sarri’s and Boban’s. They’re 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."
What’s your relationship with management like? What do you think about rumors of distance and absence?
"It’s hard for me to talk about that. We’re in contact every day, either here, on the phone, or at dinner. I don’t understand these reports when we’re always in touch."
About the work done during the break, Fonseca offered these words:
"We didn’t have many players here, but we had a lot of defenders. I don’t think it’s a problem with the defensive sector. We worked a lot on the behavior of the defensive line and individual behavior."
Are you ready to handle Venezia's counterattacks? Is Milan looking at only one result tomorrow?
"Milan always has to win, not just tomorrow. I’m not thinking about other results. I’ve watched Venezia, and it’s true that they’re dangerous on the counterattack. We saw an evolution between Parma and Lazio. We struggled against Parma, but we improved against Lazio: it wasn’t a problem with the counterattack, but with organization. We’re prepared for this situation."
The team has many counterattacking players. Is it an option to shift from possession-based play to a counterattacking and running 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 deep defense and counterattack. Great teams have the responsibility to dominate. Obviously, right now we’re not where I want us to be; it’s a big change to make. We need to improve on the number of goals conceded: a team that doesn’t want to concede goals must hold the ball more. We’re working on it, and the players are understanding the importance of having the ball and managing the game with it."
About the similar goals conceded, Fonseca said:
"I don’t want to go into detail about our problems. But it’s clear we have an issue; the goals conceded have been similar, and we need to improve."
Have you seen the desire for redemption in your players? Is the goal still the Scudetto?
"It remains without a doubt. It’s important to say this. When we’re in moments without results, one could imagine it’s a sad team without confidence, but what I see every day is a cheerful team that wants to improve: that’s why I’m always confident. Results matter, but I can’t be negative after seeing how the players work and the confidence they have."
Can Mike Maignan be one of the team’s leaders?
"He has a strong character. He’s already one of the group’s leaders, without a doubt. He’s important in the locker room, and we need players like him. Even some of the new arrivals can be leaders: it’s important to have players who bring character and personality to the team."
What kind of player is Silvano Vos? How have you seen him? Do you see him as a midfielder, trequartista, or central player?
"He started training with us this week. I had already watched him before, and he’s confirmed that he’s a quality player, he likes to have the ball, and he wants to participate heavily in offensive possession. He’s technically strong and can play both as a midfielder and a trequartista. I really liked the work he’s done with us this week. With Bennacer’s injury, he and Zeroli will work with the first team."
Will tomorrow’s lineup decisions be influenced by the fact that you’ve seen little of some players due to the internationals?
"No. The players’ performance with their national teams was very positive, and as a coach, I have to take advantage of the confidence they bring with them. It won’t influence my choices for tomorrow."
