Paulo Fonseca rather understandably faced a grilling about AC Milan’s defensive record after last night’s game against Slovan Bratislava, while he answered questions on the conditions of Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao as well.
Last night brought a third consecutive victory for Milan in Europe and Fonseca’s side are now well placed to push on for a top eight finish, which would mean direct qualification to the last 16, yet it didn’t come in a straightforward way.
Of course the points matter above all else yet the Rossoneri conceded twice to a team that had previously scored two goals in four games. They also allowed an equaliser in a bizarre way moments after taking the lead, so the defensive concerns persist.
Fonseca was present in the press conference room at the National Stadium in Bratislava to give his thoughts on what was a rollercoaster of a night for his side, something everyone has gotten used to now. His comments come via MilanNews.
Is winning the only thing that matters?
“The most important thing was to win and we won well. But we didn’t do everything well. The way we conceded goals is not a normal situation, also making mistakes in the preventive marking. But I think we won well, with many chances to get into the final third of the pitch.
“We have to improve the decisions in the final third of the pitch. Then the referee made a mistake on the last goal. We won, we can do better, but we could have done it by scoring more.”
Milan are now at 22 goals conceded for the season…
“We defended well against Juve. Today, changing many players, we made some mistakes also in preventive marking. But this match is not normal in Italy. We’ve improved a lot of things, for me.”
The runs behind the defence always seem to cause issues…
“The strategy today was to go further forward and press, so there was more risk. But what we suffered was not when we pressed, but when we lost the ball.
“We didn’t do a good job on the preventive marking. The issue of the goals conceded is not a tactical issue, but a question of reading the moment.”
Did you believe you could get into the top eight after losing the second game to Leverkusen?
“Yes, always, also because in Leverkusen we didn’t deserve to lose. What’s important now is to continue to believe, 3 wins in a row give us confidence. We’re in a good position.”
Milan had not scored at least three goals in three consecutive Champions League matches since 1989…
“I didn’t know that, I like it when the team scores a lot of goals, but we have to be more balanced.”
How are Pulisic and Leao?
“Pulisic wasn’t supposed to come off, but he told me it was better if he came off. When Leao scored, they told me Rafa wasn’t well, but he told me he felt something, but it was nothing major.”
How can you coach defensive attention?
“You can work and work individually, because the game is individual. You can work technically, but then the readings are a personal thing.”
And do you not go crazy?
“Of course. I was a central defender, but I’m an attacking coach. But first I think about being strong defensively, first we have to become.
“I have a big concern about how the team should defend. I work on it more now than in my entire career. Can you see the progress? Yes. Do we still have to work on it? Yes.”
Smart to bring Pulisic off. They were up 3-1 and you got to protect him whenever you can. Especially if he’s still recovering from whatever is bothering him. This team would be screwed if they lose Pulisic for an extended time.
How can you coach defensive attention?
“You can work and work individually, because the game is individual. You can work technically, but then the readings are a personal thing.”
What a surprise, he blames the players yet again.
You don’t think defensive attention is an individual thing? Like, if you don’t get it you don’t get it. You think Royal would a better player under Conte or Pep, for example? Sometimes you just can’t polish a turd. I’m not saying Fonseca is amazing, just that he can’t be blamed for everything. Our defenders just aren’t good. Even our best CB currently, Gabbia, would have been on the bench in the squads of 15-20 years ago. Our RBs are relegation squad quality. We’re STILL missing a proper DM, after 200M spent over two summers. Yes, Fonseca isn’t world class, but our transfer markets have been highly questionable. Fonseca will eventually pay the price, but it’s management that needs to be held accountable.
Defense is less individual than the attack. We’ve seen teams having a good defensive record despite none of their defenders being world class and we’ve also seen teams with world class defenders concede many goals. That’s why many of us insisted that a CB pairing should be maintained rather than being changed game in game out.
As for the part regarding the quality of our players, the lack of a DM, our transfers and the need to held management accountable, I agree 100%. If (or rather when) Fonseca is sacked, Ibra, Moncada & Furlani have to go with him.
Come up with a real critique. It’s pretty weak if you think that is throwing players under the bus.
Well, the one issue I have right now is that we don’t have a starting cb. All 4 cb are still fighting for top spot and thus no rhythm yet.
I hope Mr Fonseca resolves this issue soon.
Yep. Needs to stick with Gabbia and Thiaw in my opinion. They look our two best at the moment.
he was criticised for always changing the CB pair. now he fields Gabbia/Thiaw for important league games and Tomori/Pavlovic for Bratislava and Cup. what is wrong about that now?
he was criticised for always changing the CB pair. now he fields Gabbia/Thiaw for important league games and Tomori/Pavlovic for Slovan and Cup. i dont see anything wrong with that.
Game in and Game out: We have to improve.
And yet no improvement is visible so far.
We are up 3-1 ! Do we need to constantly push forward? Let them come to us ,they need the ball (to score). THE COACH SHOULD BE MANAGING THE GAME !!!! THE ENTIRE GAME !!! THEY COME TO US AND SPACE IS OPENED UP !!! WE CLOSE THE GAME OUT 4 – 1 ….. WAKE UP COACHING STAFF !!!