Just days after an important victory against Monza, AC Milan return to action in a match with historic significance. The Rossoneri will visit Real Madrid, led by former Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, for the 4th round of the new Champions League format. It will be a crucial test for Morata and his teammates, who currently find themselves outside the playoff zone. On the eve of the match, Paulo Fonseca spoke at a press conference.
The Milan coach began by expressing confidence: “We believe we can play a good game. We need to bring our best because we’re facing a strong team. I always think about winning, and I try to convey that to my players.”
When asked about the possibility of settling for a draw, Fonseca was pragmatic: “It depends on how the match goes. Depending on the game, it can be positive or not. Real Madrid is a great team.”
Regarding the lineup, Fonseca confirmed that Rafael Leao will start: “Rafa will play from the beginning. We expect him to do what he knows how to do.” He also praised Alvaro Morata: “Alvaro is very important to me. Not only as a player but also as a professional. He’s an intelligent player who is doing very well.”
On the injury front, Fonseca provided an update on Tammy Abraham: “Abraham can’t play the whole match, he’ll be available but doesn’t have 90 minutes in him.”
When discussing Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti, Fonseca was full of admiration: “He’s an inspiration to me. One of the best coaches in the world. It’s always special to face him, I’m a fan of his. Everything he says is important to hear.”
Fonseca also commented on the recent El Clasico match: “I watched it, it’s impossible not to watch a game like that. Playing against Real Madrid, I paid attention to what could be their characteristics. Obviously, we are a different team from Barcelona, even if we defend in a similar way.”
Finally, when asked about Vinicius Junior’s recent Ballon d’Or snub, Fonseca took a diplomatic stance: “Individual awards don’t mean much to me. We must respect the decisions even if it’s difficult. You can’t unanimously say who is the best.”
