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.”