As Milan gear up for a vital away match against Fiorentina, head coach Paulo Fonseca addressed the media in a press conference, emphasizing the importance of continuity and the team’s readiness to compete. With the recent disappointment against Bayer Leverkusen still fresh in their minds, Fonseca reflected on the team’s performance and outlined his expectations for the upcoming challenge.
Fonseca highlighted the significance of maintaining a consistent lineup, stating, “Continuity is important at this moment when we have more days to recover players. If the team is doing well, it’s crucial to keep as many players as we can.” He acknowledged that while he has confidence in his squad, players like Loftus and Chukwueze have also been performing well when given the chance.
Discussing the team’s morale after their Champions League match, he remarked, “We didn’t win against Leverkusen; the group was disappointed and angry. However, what I’ve felt this week are good sensations. The team has worked very well again, and we want to win.” He recognized Fiorentina as a formidable opponent, noting their strong squad and the traditional difficulty Milan faces when playing in Florence.
On player fitness, Fonseca confirmed that Álvaro Morata is ready to play: “Morata is doing well; he will play tomorrow.” He also expressed confidence in his defensive pairing of Gabbia and Tomori, emphasizing their recent strong performances.
When asked about the rising star Gabbia’s national team call-up, Fonseca expressed pride: “I’m the coach of Milan; I don’t want to influence Spalletti, but I think it was right. He’s in a great moment; I’m very satisfied with him.”
Fonseca acknowledged Napoli’s current strong form but remained focused on his own team’s ambitions: “We have a lot to play for; there are many teams that want the same thing we do. Napoli has the advantage of not being in European competitions. They have a strong coach and a strong team, and they have more time to work.”
Addressing concerns about away performances, he stated, “For us, it’s always the same; we have the ambition to win both at home and away. Tomorrow it will be important to win not just because it’s an away game but to maintain continuity in our league performance.”
Reflecting on Milan’s inconsistent performances this season, Fonseca remarked, “It’s not easy to answer. What I know is that we played against Leverkusen, one of the strongest teams in Europe right now. I think we are in a growth period.” He emphasized that while they have shown improvement, there is still much work to be done.
On player development, he praised Fofana’s contributions: “He is very important for us; he improves every day. There was an adaptation period as Ligue 1 is different from Serie A.” Fonseca believes that Fofana’s growth directly influences the team’s overall performance.
Regarding Kalulu’s departure from Milan, he stated firmly, “I don’t talk about players who are not here. Kalulu is no longer here. It was also a choice of the player.”
Fonseca also addressed injuries within his squad, specifically Calabria’s ongoing issues: “Calabria has been having problems; he started with a calf injury and then had compensation issues with the other calf during recovery.”
As for tactical adjustments with Musah stepping into a new role due to Bennacer’s injury, he said they are working on developing Musah’s abilities in that position.
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s match against Fiorentina, Fonseca acknowledged the challenge posed by their man-to-man marking style: “I think it will be a difficult match. They have quality and good players.” He stressed that adapting quickly between different styles of play is crucial for success.
In closing, Fonseca expressed confidence in his players’ character and determination: “The team has shown character throughout the match against Leverkusen. It was not an attitude problem but rather a matter of making better decisions.”
