Paulo Fonseca, the AC Milan head coach, spoke to the media in a press conference following the 3-1 victory against Club Brugge at the San Siro stadium in the Champions League matchday 3.
The positive double substitution: Did Fonseca win over San Siro?
"The credit goes to the players, and especially to those who came on, as they changed the game, shifting our play and intensity."
Good victory, but surely you can't be satisfied with the first half...
"Obviously, in the first half, we didn't do things well. We were up against a team with eleven players sitting very deep, then even deeper after going down to ten men. We had difficulties in this type of game, creating and finding space. Then, when we don’t find the right solution, the game becomes too slow. When we don't find space, we need a different intensity in our actions. We didn’t do well. The game was too slow. I think it was a problem of understanding the match."
What do you think of Rafael Leao's performance? Fonseca replied:
"Offensively, Leao did important things for the team in the first half. Then I decided to substitute him, just like I decided to take Loftus-Cheek off. But for me, this is normal. I wanted to be more incisive, more energetic on the flanks. For me, there’s no problem."
On Francesco Camarda's debut.
"I feel bad about the disallowed goal. But it was a beautiful moment for the team, all out on the field celebrating a kid who works so hard. Camarda will have many opportunities to score more goals throughout his career."
What has changed in Noah Okafor and Samuel Chukwueze?
"Confidence. They played a good match against Udinese."
What’s happening with Ruben Loftus-Cheek?
"With me, he has played as an 8, a 10, and today as an attacking midfielder on the right. Loftus is a player who accelerates with the ball at his feet; when there’s no space, he struggles more. But it’s not that he’s scared... Those are just his characteristics. We need to help him better understand certain things. He works hard, always, and gives everything for the team. I’m sorry he wasn’t at the level I know he can play at."
Should Francesco Camarda stay with the First Team?
"Mister Bonera, Mister Guidi, and I are doing our best to help young players grow. We have Morata, Abraham, and Jovic, so it becomes a bit difficult for Camarda to play. And at this age, it’s important to get playing time. What we are trying to do is give him more space to help him improve, between the Primavera, Milan Futuro, and the First Team. Sometimes it’s harder to play in Serie C than in Serie A, and vice versa. When he trains with us, he does great. Today, he worked well for the team, showing courage in positioning himself for the pass. He doesn't seem like a kid his age when he plays."
