Following the crucial win against Inter in the Derby della Madonnina, Paulo Fonseca spoke to the media and shared his thoughts on what went right tonight. Naturally, he was quite relieved and also pleased with how his players responded.
After the 1-3 defeat against Liverpool, few could have predicted the outcome of tonight’s derby. Matteo Gabbia scored the winner late on, earning himself the MOTM award, but the Rossoneri could have sealed the deal earlier with multiple good chances.
Speaking to DAZN after the game, as cited by MilanNews, Fonseca shared his thoughts on what Milan got right tonight. He also explained that Alvaro Morata had a much deeper role than some perhaps thought, not playing as a conventional striker tonight.
The victory of courage…
“It was an important match. First because it was the derby that Milan hadn’t won for a long time. It was also important for the moment we were going through, but I think the players played with a lot of courage and I think we deserved to win. I don’t remember a team in recent times that created as many problems for Inter as we did.”
Team victory and the right attitude. Where did the idea to play this way come from?
“We didn’t change, we played with the same structure. What we did was create something different, that is, to go with Fofana among the central defenders, if we have some difficulty. For the rest, it was the same, the same structure. Only the players changed, Morata played the same role that Tijji had against Liverpool but the formation didn’t change.”
On Morata’s position…
“Morata played the same role that Tijji had played in the other matches. They are different players because Morata gets forward more easily, but the role and the structure are the same. The closeness with Abraham was important, he did a great job, but the structure was the same.”
Are you happy that you won’t be questioned for at least a week?
“It’s the same for me. I don’t hear, I don’t look, I don’t see anything. It will be a week with a little more confidence but for me what is important is to continue to see the players believe in our ideas and work as they have done so far. Today was a victory for the players.”
Will you bring us pastel de nata?
“When I have the opportunity, you will have pastel de nata. For everyone, even for Boban.”
Milan will be up against Lecce next and that game is scheduled for Friday. It will also be played at San Siro, seeing as Inter were the designated home side tonight, and then a trip to Germany is on the cards (to face Bayer Leverkusen).
I’ll give it to him. He’s not stubborn. He’s more flexible. More open. But am I convinced? No. I need to see a lot more. I need to see consistency.
And again with this site telling me I’m posting comments too quick lol.
Yes it’s the same formation.
But our defence play was same like Liverpools . 4 in attack and 2 in midfield.
This make huge space on Inter Flanks and thats goes partly luck for us. Dimarco was big threat and Inter, figured too late to put pressure on our flanks. Ok, Theo and Royal did good job in back.
‘We just did something a little different, which was that if we have difficulties, then Fofana can go between the central defenders in protection.’
This is what I paid attention too as well in this match. And who knows that might be just the key. Just like Kessie who often go deep in line with the CB.
Acmilan problem is Rafael leao let chukwueze be playing Rafael leao wing then leao can enter second half while Okafor will play pulisic wing then rejnder will play attacking midfield so pulisic will play from bench not everyone will start pulisic it will lead to fatigue
On his worst day Chuk can’t lace Leaos boots. Chuk is terrible off the ball. At least with Leao you might get two or three moments of magic in a game.
We won because RLC was not starting, RLC is important but should always start from bench. Try to play liberali, we had dynamic preseason mainly because of him.
It is not just Ruben Loftus.
Small team played defensively a lot. Inter played the same. And Milan now with Morata had one more striker who played Ruben Loftus position before. Reijnders and Fofana played midfield. So with this changes, all Milan players gave much more pressure and run compared to other games.
Fonseca must rotate because same players can’t play like this all games. There are so many games untill end of the season.
been saying that for a long time. liberali should be playing attacking midfielder, he did well in preseason and he is strong and looks ready…RLC is a bench player….
A bit of luck but bravery paid off – time for people to get on board for a few months and actually support him. Liverpool and Inter are both in a much better position in terms of current squad stability, togetherness and experience and we caused both problems but have some shortcomings.
Expecting Fonseca to fix those overnight is nonsense, especially when the higher management seems determined to avoid defensive midfield roles. People also shouldn’t expect miracles against Leverkusen, just cheer the team if they work hard for the shirt and each other.
We had weaknesses today, in some of the usual areas, but they need to be allowed time to bond and work together as a team. Fingers crossed the ultras can back off a bit and let them do so.
Uh….no
Fonseca Out