AC Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca has insisted that he is happy with what his side are showing in the possession phase after just five weeks together on the training ground.
Milan returned from the United States last week where they played three games in the 2024 Soccer Champions Tour against European heavyweights Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona, winning all three.
Tonight they closed out their preseason campaign against Monza in the Silvio Berlusconi Trophy and they got yet another win on the board, triumphing 3-1 thanks to goals from Alexis Saelemaekers, Luka Jovic and Tijjani Reijnders.
Fonseca spoke to Canale 5 after the win against Monza to assess what was another impressive preseason win ahead of the curtain raiser on Saturday night, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
Your side played good attacking football in preseason…
“We’ve only had five weeks of work, there’s a long way to go. We can already look at some of the team’s intentions that they’re already trying to put on the field.
“Today we played with two different teams, we have different things to improve and work on. I’m very satisfied because the players are trying to do what we’ve been working on in these weeks.”
Should Saelemaekers stay?
“He is a team player, he can do different roles well. He works a lot defensively for the team, offensively he brings important things. I like him a lot, I would like him to stay in the team.”
Which phase are you most satisfied with now?
“Possession. I’m happier with the offensive phase. It’s been five weeks of work, it’s a different way of playing defensively too. I’m not making comparisons, I’m just saying it’s different.
“We need time to improve defensively. If we want to be a team that presses high there are things to improve. In the first 20 minutes we did well, we recovered high balls. We need time to continue improving.”
A big season awaits for Leao…
“We are working together, I am very satisfied. It seems to me that Rafa is more inclined to work for the team defensively. I am sure he will be a different player.”
During the match you gave directions in Portuguese…
“For Rafa who was next to me. But here we speak all languages.”
Played really well especially leao, deserved to score,but defence needs a bit of solidity locatelli played well too.
Locatelli😆😆
Have you seen him play or just CDM+Italian helps your scouting?
He’s more of a regista than defensive player, think of Pirlo and Bennacer but not as good. I would have brought him from Juve, if we are so determined to give Kalulu, as a Bennacer understudy so he can be more dominant 2nd part of the season and finally be his replacement when Bennacer leaves… but our defensive worries aren’t solved by Locatelli…
Locatelli is rubbish
by what standard? by one season? and he’s more than capable of being 2nd fiddle to Bennacer, that doesn’t take much skill… and Tottenham are offering 24M atm, but what does Poste or top 5 team in EPL know, when we have Ashraf….
Jovic and Alexis to stay then. Chiesa and Tammy Lmfao!!!!
If you listen to the full interview, you understand who Fonseca is, he appreciates beautiful football, has a positive outlook on things, he is mature, charming, he likes good young players and talented players, and above all has a game system, meanwhile Conte is whining, crying and insulting Napoli even before the season starts
Yeah, Alexis is staying!! That’s what I wanna hear ❤️🖤
King22 truth hurts