Champions League, Fonseca in conferenza stampa pre Bayer Leverkusen-Milan

Summary

In this press conference, the coach discusses player performance and potential lineup changes for the upcoming match. He mentions managing Morata's fitness and reflects on the team's growth, especially in defense. The coach also contrasts the differences between domestic league play and Champions League competition, emphasizing the need for tactical adjustments. He touches on the importance of collective leadership within the team and expresses confidence in their style of play. The conversation also highlights key learnings from previous matches and the coach's desire to maintain a balance between offensive and defensive strategies.

Takeaways

• ⚽ Morata played in the last match despite not being at full fitness, and there is a possibility of resting him in the upcoming game depending on his condition.
• 🛑 The coach is cautious about taking risks with Morata's fitness and will make a decision based on his condition before the match.
• 🔄 The Milan coach emphasizes that while the team's style remains consistent, there may be adjustments between domestic and European matches.
• 🛡️ Defensive performance is a key focus for the upcoming match, with the coach highlighting the importance of maintaining a strong defensive structure against a tough opponent.
• 🆚 The coach compares the upcoming game to a recent match against Liverpool, aiming to build on defensive improvements seen in recent games.
• 👥 Milan has multiple players who could serve as team captains, with the coach favoring a shared leadership approach within the squad.
• 🏆 The coach expresses confidence and curiosity about Milan's performance in the Champions League, noting the difference between Serie A and European competition.
• 🌍 The coach acknowledges international perceptions of Italian teams being defensively strong but aims for Milan to be recognized as a more complete team with offensive capabilities.
• 📊 The coach is preparing for a balanced approach in the match, aiming for both defensive solidity and offensive initiative, knowing the challenge of facing a strong opponent.
• 👀 While recognizing Atalanta's aggressive style, the coach clarifies that Milan will not adopt a strict man-marking system but will focus on their own approach to the game.

Q & A

What is the coach's stance on starting Morata in the upcoming game?

The coach mentioned that Morata made an effort to play in the last match despite not being in perfect condition. His status is uncertain, and the coach does not want to take any risks with him.

Does the coach plan to change his tactics between the Italian league and the Champions League?

The coach stated that while the team's intentions remain the same, there might be small changes depending on the competition. However, the general approach to how Milan plays will remain consistent.

How does the coach view the upcoming match against Bayer Leverkusen?

The coach sees the match as a difficult test, especially defensively. He emphasized that Milan needs to play a near-perfect defensive game to have a chance to win against a strong team like Bayer Leverkusen.

How does the coach handle the captaincy within the team?

The coach prefers a shared leadership approach, with multiple players capable of being captain. He respects the tradition of choosing players with the most matches for Milan but values a broader distribution of leadership responsibilities.

How has the coach’s confidence evolved since the Milan vs. Liverpool match?

The coach remains confident but acknowledges that the Champions League is very different from Serie A. He is curious to see how Milan performs in a new scenario, given their strong recent performances in the domestic league.

Does the coach want to change the perception of Italian teams in the Champions League?

Yes, the coach expressed a desire to change the typical perception of Italian teams as primarily defensive. He wants Milan to be seen as a team that can both defend and play offensively, even in the Champions League.

Did the coach watch Atalanta's game against Bayern Leverkusen, and how does he view Atalanta's style?

Yes, the coach watched the match and highlighted that Atalanta plays a very aggressive, man-to-man style, which he respects. However, he clarified that Milan has a different approach and will not adopt a similar style.

How does the coach plan to balance defense and offense against Bayer Leverkusen?

The coach emphasized the importance of a perfect defensive performance but also wants Milan to attack and take the initiative when they have possession, aiming for a balanced approach between defense and offense.

What lessons did the coach learn from Milan’s loss to Liverpool that he wants to avoid against Bayer Leverkusen?

The coach pointed out that Milan made several defensive mistakes in the match against Liverpool. He hopes the team has learned from these errors, particularly in decision-making and defensive organization, and will not repeat them against Bayer Leverkusen.

How does the coach view Morata’s role in the team’s formation?

The coach believes that playing with Morata and Abraham makes Milan more offensively strong, but he also highlighted that they contribute significantly to the team’s defensive work, making the overall team stronger in both attack and defense.