AC Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca admitted that things are still a work in progress with his side but he liked some bits of what he saw in the first preseason friendly.
Milan began their preseason friendly campaign with a 1-1 draw against Rapid Wien at the Allianz Stadion on Saturday evening. It precedes the trip to the United States where Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona await, so the tests dial up from here.
Fonseca named a young starting line-up given the amount of absences he has to contend with. The likes of Filippo Terracciano, Mattia Liberali, Chaka Traore and Lorenzo Colombo all featured among others.
Alessandro Florenzi got the opening goal of the game with a lovely volley from Daniel Maldini’s cross, but Demir came off the bench to snatch a late equaliser for Rapid, one they deserved on the balance of play.
Fonseca spoke to Milan TV after the game to assess what was a very useful run-out for his side in the Austrian heat and in front of a rather rowdy home crowd, one who were celebrating their 125th anniversary just as Milan are.
“We tried to do what we have trained in these two weeks, we worked more in build-up and, defensively, on being a compact team,” he began.
“Our first match, against a team that is at the end of its preparations, physically showed a big difference. What I liked in our first phase, phase one, is that we did some interesting things, then there is a lack of consistency in our game, but everything is new, the change is very big and obviously the players do not know everything. What I liked most is that they tried to do what we trained. Physically it was difficult, but we have started now.
“We need connection between our players, communication is fundamental, defending like this we are dependent on each other. I want this leadership from everyone. I want them to know the game, the moments of the game, and I think they have started to understand.”
Everyone just has to give Fonseca and team the respect they deserve, and a chance, we have a very good core, all we need is a few additions…
Interesting things? We were completely clueless in the build-up play and suffered immensly under the high intense pressure of Rapid V.
Pleased? What a tool. Looks like they have found their man, who will manage to “find positives” in draw or a loss the whole season long.
You need to be trashing teams like Rapid Vienna no matter the conditions.
It was the first friendly of the year and they just started training. Relax a little here.
Yeah, he should have been like Mourinho and said all the player he has are sh*t and cannot work with such an amateurs, right?
What else is a new coach supposed to say?
Normally I would be very mad but at no point did we have more than two starters ik the first half we had thiaw and calabria ik the second we had tomori and kalulu
Hi qqq the Glory hunter,
Relax mate, the team is just training with new coach and new tactics 12 days ago. Rapid Wien is on the edge of season preparation. Our starters is still on vacation.
This is pre season, still have time until the season begin.
Unless you play Fantasy Manager where you could win titles a day after appointed.. LOL
Estemos tranquilos y dejemos trabajar, no es momento de criticar nada al equipo, veremos como avanzan las cosas, paciencia
We have the same issue as last year, the gaping hole in front of defence. If that’s the planned transitions to defence then we’re in big trouble. I didn’t like what I saw at all but early days still.
They still played pioli type football. But they’ve been together less than two weeks so I expect change soon. The midfield is still where we struggle the most in the defensive phase
Even with limited resources, they managed to implement the fast built up transition, look at the goal..