AC Milan's head coach, Paulo Fonseca, speaks to the media in a press conference at Milanello today in view of tomorrow's Serie A match against Gian Piero Gasperini.
Here are the Portuguese tactician's words:
Atalanta is coming, and everyone considers it a tough game. But is this perhaps the best moment for Milan?
"I don’t think it’s ever a good time to face Atalanta (laughs, ed.). Yes, we’re improving, the team is confident. We know it’s always difficult to play against them: 8 wins in their last 8 matches, scoring 26 goals and conceding just 4. They’re a very strong team. It will be an extremely tough match, but we’re ready, and we’re confident about playing against Atalanta."
Now Milan seems like a team less under pressure and less anxious...
"I agree. I think this comes largely from the way the team defends, which brings confidence and stability. Three or four games ago, there was some defensive unease, but not anymore. Today, I think the team feels comfortable defensively, and that leads to confidence when attacking."
What does Atalanta represent for a foreign coach? Fonseca replied:
"You don’t see teams playing man-to-man like that often; it’s been a while. Football is like life: cyclical. Gasperini has been a pioneer in playing this way. Now, across Europe, there’s an awareness of how difficult it is to face teams like Atalanta. Many teams follow Atalanta’s model. The other day, I was reading an article in Germany: there are many teams playing this way now. Bayern does it, Stuttgart too… They’ve adopted Atalanta and Gasperini’s ideas. Their style of play is a point of reference at an international level."
Is this a decisive match for a real turning point this season?
"I don’t think the team needs this match to be aware of what it’s doing. It’s an important game but not decisive for me. It can bring a lot of positives to the team. Winning against Atalanta would instill confidence for the future."
Is the match against Atalanta going to be a test for Milan's defensive phase?
"The team is confident in its defensive phase right now. This is a great challenge; Atalanta is truly strong offensively. They create so much. It will be a good test for us—not just for the defensive line, but for how the whole team defends," said Fonseca.
Milan faces De Ketelaere, a former player in this match...
"Maybe he has adapted better to a different way of playing. But I don’t want to talk about Atalanta’s players; I think their biggest strength is their collective unit. And they’re very strong."
Do you see yourself as a modern, innovative coach who knows how to surprise? How are you adapting to this reality in Italy?
"I don’t like talking about myself. That’s for you to do. What I can say is that I feel very, very good in Italy. It’s incredibly stimulating for a foreign coach. Things are different here; it’s more challenging to find a new way of seeing things. Serie A is clearly unique for me. Recently, I was talking with my staff, saying that only by being here can you understand just how different it is."
Fonseca continued:
"Coaches who aren’t here don’t have a precise idea of what Serie A offers and how it challenges you as a manager. Winning here is extremely difficult. European teams now have opportunities to face Italian clubs. Look at the results. How are they? So imagine facing Italian teams every week. It’s tough."
What makes it difficult?
"The defensive approach of many teams here is different. I’m 100% certain that facing a team playing man-to-man is harder than facing one that defends in zones. Then there’s the physicality and the defensive organization. Finding space here in Italy isn’t easy. When it comes to intensity, England is more intense, but here, it’s different."
Is tomorrow’s match the most tactically challenging game of the season for Milan? Will Musah play on the right again? Fonseca commented:
"Yes, Musah will play tomorrow. I think we’ve prepared well for the match. It will be a tactical game. It’s very easy to understand how Atalanta plays—it’s easy to say they do this, this, and this. But countering them is difficult because they execute it so well, both offensively and defensively. But I think we’re ready to face Atalanta."
Would a draw tomorrow be a good result?
"I always think about winning; I don’t consider that possibility. Before matches, the only result in my mind is winning. I don’t want to think about other outcomes."
What match from Atalanta did you show to the team?
"None. I showed situations and images..."
Guardiola said that facing Atalanta is annoying, like going to the dentist... Fonseca replied:
"I completely understand what Pep said. It's really a match of sacrifice, commitment, and attitude. He says that because maybe he goes to the dentist once a year. But here (in Italy), I go to the dentist every week, it’s normal. Empoli might have different qualities, but the way they play is the same."
You’ve never won against Gian Piero Gasperini. Is there a desire for revenge?
"I have no special desire to beat Gasperini. I’m the first to say he is unique. We must recognise the work he’s doing, it’s great. I have a lot of admiration for Gasperini, there’s nothing personal. I want to win tomorrow, like all the other matches, but I have nothing personal to prove. We all have to recognize the merits of others, I recognize Gasperini’s merits."
How satisfied are you with Rafael Leao’s growth in terms of attitude? Have you figured out how to motivate him?
"It’s the reality, not an impression. I think Rafa still has room to improve. He’s done well in the last matches, even with defensive attitude. Am I totally satisfied? No. He has the ability to do better. Rafa’s mindset should be focused on doing better. He scored 5 goals, but he should be thinking of scoring 20. When we have the ability, we must demand a lot from ourselves. He needs to be ambitious to always improve. He’s on the right path, but he shouldn’t stop now."
Is Samuel Chukwueze improving defensively?
"Two matches ago, I remember I talked about Chukwu. He is adapting well. When we need that role on the right, he’s progressing. There’s no problem with him. If we think he’s stronger defensively than Musah, no. But he can play this role in some matches."
Does Milan need to impose its presence on the opponent to be great? Fonseca said:
"Matches today are very strategic. We don’t change our principles of play. We’re not a team that plays a man-to-man style, I won’t play like that against Atalanta. But we can make some strategic adjustments. We want to have an offensive initiative against all teams, but the match against Atalanta is not one where teams can have a lot of offensive initiative. Where is this match being played? It’s not near Atalanta’s goal."
What is the thing that has satisfied you most about your work at Milan so far? And what is the thing that still doesn’t satisfy you? Fonseca replied:
"There are many things that leave me satisfied right now. Seeing the players’ growth is very important to me. I want to win, I want titles. But watching the people who work with me grow is the thing that pleases me the most. I have players who give me this pleasure. Also, being the coach of Milan is something that every day I think is a privilege. The things I’m not fully satisfied with, I can’t say them (smiles). Then there are things on an individual level and a collective level, but I don’t want to say them. But they exist. If one day I reach them, I’ll come here and say it. But today, I’m still a little far from what I’d like."
Fonseca, can you give us an update on Ismael Bennacer, Ruben Loftus, and Marco Sportiello?
"Bennacer looks better, he changed his haircut (laughs). Physically he’s doing well, it was a pleasure to see him again. We’re satisfied. He needs a bit more time to work with the team, I think he’s in the final stages of his work before starting with the team. The others, including Sportiello and Loftus, are all doing well."
