Fonseca: ‘Easy to understand where Milan must improve’

Milan coach Paulo Fonseca insists that it’s ‘easy’ to understand where the Rossoneri must improve after earning just one point in the opening two Serie A matches.

Milan return to the pitch on Saturday, meeting Marco Baroni’s Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Rossoneri picked up a 2-2 draw against Torino in the opening round and lost 2-1 to newly promoted side Parma last week.

“We are aware that we haven’t started well. But we are all united, and we want to find solutions. That’s what we’ve done this week,” Fonseca said at a press conference on Friday.

“We are united, so it’s easier to work. It was a good week, and I think we understood where we really need to improve. I expect a different Milan tomorrow. It’s easy to understand where we must improve.”

Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao were among the most criticised players, especially after last week’s loss in Parma.

“I never discuss individual players. I always discuss the team in general,” said Fonseca,

“I talk to individual players privately, but I’ll always talk publicly about the whole team. Obviously, I spoke to Theo, Rafa, and all the other players.

Fonseca: ‘Easy to understand where Milan must improve’

“The team reacted well. It was a very positive week,” continued the Milan coach.

“I don’t like to look for excuses or be sad. I am here to find solutions. That’s what I’ve done this week. Let’s see if it’s the right path.”

The Rossoneri are ready to welcome Tammy Abraham in a swap deal with Alexis Saelemaekers, but Fonseca refused to talk about the Englishman as the deal is not official yet.

“I was surprised because Danso arrived for Roma medical, but then he didn’t sign. So, I won’t talk about players who are not here,” he said.

“We don’t have Morata, and we don’t have Luka [Jovic], who has back pain, so we have Okafor and Camarda for tomorrow.

“We must recognise that we must do much more. I am focused on the players who are here. I am entirely focused on tomorrow’s game.

“As for Saelemaekers, we must consider the players’ expectations. If a player wants more playing time, we must respect this.”

Fonseca said that, besides Camarda, Kevin Zeroli, Davide Bartesaghi, and Hugo Cuenca will also travel to Rome with the first team.

Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen are among the opponents Milan will meet in the Champions League.

“There’s a lot to think about before the Champions League. I really like the format because there are more games among top sides, but it’s also an opportunity to bring these top sides to countries that are not top in football,” said Fonseca.

“It was a balanced draw. All games will be balanced. It’s true; we have Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen, who are top sides, but there are other strong teams, too. It seems like a balanced draw and format.”

There were more questions about tactics and Milan’s approach, but Fonseca didn’t want to discuss anything tactic-related.

“Of course, there are tactical questions when we don’t win. I know what I want for the team, so I should not discuss the details. We must accept criticism,” he noted.

“We expect criticism when we don’t play well, so we must work hard to improve, being focused on solutions for us.

“I am as confident as I was during my unveiling press conference. I am convinced these two games won’t diminish our ambition to be the team we want to be.

“I think that all players are open to playing this football. If I have doubts about what I believe in it’s a problem, but I don’t. I am convinced of what I believe.

How about his relationship with the club? Have directors shared all transfer decisions with him?

“We talk every day. We talk about everything,” insisted the Portuguese.

“There are things I can’t decide, but the relationship with the club and the players is the best possible. I’ve already said that I’m very satisfied with the club’s work on reinforcing the team and I am still very satisfied.”