AC Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca has explained his selection decisions after making six changes to the starting line-up for the game against Empoli.
The big news regarding the XI is that Yunus Musah has once again been given the nod in what appears to be a position on the right flank. It remains to be seen if he will be a pure winger or whether he might tuck is as an extra midfielder, or if he could be a wing-back.
Regardless of that, there is a lot of pressure on Milan and Fonseca to deliver not only a win but to be a lot more convincing in the defensive department, having let in two goals during the midweek win over Slovan Bratislava.
Fonseca spoke to DAZN in the build-up to the game and he was asked about some of his decisions, with his comments relayed by MilanPress.
What kind of Milan should we expect?
“One similar to Real Madrid. Empoli plays very direct, with five players up front. It is important to have stability when we defend.”
What role will Musah have?
“He helps us find balance, today mainly in the defensive line. However, we must find balance in general not only with one player but with the whole team.
“Today will be a transition match, due to Empoli’s characteristics. They press man to man, it is important to have mobility and try, when we have the ball, to attack quickly.”
There were boos after the Juventus game…
“We can cancel them out by playing well and winning the match, it is the main thing to make the fans happy. In football this is normal, today we have an opportunity to have the fans with us after the match.”
Question..why do we need a defensive line against Empoli?
Empoli should need a defensive line against Milan!
Just switch to 3-4-3
Give Theo (at Lwb/LM)more freedom to attack since he is unserious about defending.
Play musah at RM/rwb
Fofana & reijnders as CMs
Back 3 Tomori-Gabbia-Thiaw
Too much fm. Tomori – gabbia – thiaw are most likely slowest defenders in entire league. Problem with Theo in defence is not his skills to take the ball from opponents but his stupid and impulsive tactic decisions.