The AC Milan head coach, Paulo Fonseca, speaks to the media (with Mike Maignan, read the goalkeeper's words HERE) in a press conference the night before the big fixture against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Here are the Portuguese tactician's words:
"To begin with, a thought for the victims of the catastrophe in Valencia. It is hard to see what happened. Our thoughts go to the people who suffered in this tragic moment. In Italy we had something similar, not comparable, but we are with the people of Valencia."
On facing Real Madrid, Fonseca said:
"We approach a match like this with great motivation, as a great opportunity. You face a team that is usually the team that is a candidate for winning the Champions League."
Would a draw be a positive result?
"Honestly, I always think and try to instill in the players the desire to win. Tomorrow won’t be any different. I always think about winning, knowing that Real is an outstanding team, but I only think about winning. Then, if it happens, it always depends on how."
Fonseca, will Rafael Leao play tomorrow?
"Leao will start from the beginning. What is normally expected of him is to be decisive in the match."
On Alvaro Morata:
"Alvaro is a very important player for me, not only as a player but as a professional. He is a very, very intelligent player who is doing very well; he is crucial for our team. He needs to play, what he is doing for the team is decisive for us. Playing here is special for him, but I expect to have Alvaro as we had him during the season. He has worked a lot for the team with a lot of energy."
Carlo Ancelotti said that a coach needs the right amount of time and that this is a Milan with potential. What do you think?
"Carlo is a point of reference for me. He is the best coach in the world; everything he says is important and worth listening to. I thank him for this thought.
Have you seen El Clásico? Did it help you prepare something?
"I watched the Clasico; it's impossible not to watch it. These are teams I like to watch, and I paid attention to the match. We are different from Barcelona, but it was important to see Real Madrid's intentions against Barcelona, who has a similar way of defending against us. We showed the match to the team."
Does it bother you that so many people have commented on the Rafael Leão situation? Is it a topic that’s discussed too much? Fonseca replied:
"Honestly, no. I know what is important for me and for the team. It’s normal for people, including you, to talk about this situation. I have to follow my team, what I believe in, and what I consider important for the team."
Could Milan with two strikers be an option for tomorrow night?
"No, because Tammy is not in the best physical condition; he can't play the whole match. He might be able to play part of the match, but not from the start."
On Theo Hernandez:
"Theo started the season with physical difficulties. Now he’s doing better; he is improving. He still has room to get even better."
What is your opinion on Rodri winning the Ballon d'Or? He said:
"For me, individual awards are not important. There are many criteria and many people who decide... We must respect the decisions. It’s hard for me to say who the best player is. We must respect the outcome."
What does it mean for you to play against a coach who is so important in Milan's history, like Carlo Ancelotti?
"It’s always special for me; he is a reference point. I am a big fan of Carlo, not just as a coach but especially as a person. He is an example for all of us coaches. For me, it’s a motivation and a great source of pride."
Real Madrid-Milan, European derby? Fonseca said:
"It’s the match between the two clubs that have won the most Champions Leagues. We have many Champions League matches that are big matches, but this is obviously a game between two clubs that attract attention. We hope to put on a great show for the people who love football."
On the eve of the match against Real, there are several similarities with the build-up to the Inter match...
"What is similar is that Milan was not favored against Inter, and we are not favored tomorrow either. But these are different matches, with two opponents that have a totally different style of play. We have prepared for this match, in the little time we have had, in a different way compared to Inter; we have devised a different strategy to face a very strong Real Madrid."
