Paulo Fonseca is pleased with his team after the pre-season win over Real Madrid in Chicago and has explained what new signing Strahinja Pavlovic will bring to the team.
Speaking to the press (via La Gazzetta dello Sport) following the 1-0 victory over the Spanish and European champions, Fonseca spoke positively about the pre-season in which the Rossoneri have beaten yesterday’s opponents as well as Manchester City.
Milan’s latest signing is Pavlovic from Red Bull Salzburg and he was announced hours before the match in Chicago, and Fonseca has explained that the players who have been on the pre-season tour will have an advantage over the others but he backs Pavlovic to learn how Milan play very quickly.
“The players who are here in the United States have advantages because they work with us from the beginning. Pavlovic, however, will not have difficulty learning our way of playing and defending,” Fonseca explained.
Fikayo Tomori impressed against Real Madrid and many will expect Pavlovic to play alongside the Englishman, but Fonseca thinks there is little importance in who plays on the left or right of the two.
“Pavlovic is a good player, we are happy. For me it will not be important to play on the right or left, with the coach the structure of the team is more important,” he said.
It has been a successful visit to the United States so far for Milan and the coach is happy with his players and the progress shown, but stresses that there is still more to learn.
“I am happy for the courage shown by all the players, I have very good feelings. The result is not the most important thing but winning always brings good things, it makes the players believe in the process,” he said.
“We have a lot to improve but the first three weeks have been positive, we are working hard with an open mind and we already see that something is happening in the matches. These challenges with City and Real will give the players confidence.”
Fonseca had praise for the two American players in the squad, Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah.
“Christian is fantastic. His quality is incredible, he will be very important this season too. About Yunus, I am 200% sure that he will be a player of importance for us, of course he has to learn but he has the right characteristics to play in that position,” Fonseca said.
The young Mattia Liberali impressed against Real Madrid and on his future, Fonseca said: “He plays with courage but we have to think about it, understand what’s best for him, whether to go and play where he can have more space or stay here, spend a bit with us and have the chance to play for Milan Futuro. All the youngsters are showing maturity and courage.”
Samuel Chukwueze was also very good, scoring the only goal of the game, leading Fonseca to say: “Last year he didn’t play much and when a new coach arrives, you know, everyone wants to show what he can do. I’m really happy for him, he’s doing really, really well. I think he’ll be important in the team and will make the difference.”
I told folks Fonseca was great but some clowns said otherwise. Imagine what this man will do when we have a full squad of:
1 Morata
2. Leao
3. Reijnders
4. Theo
5. Pavlovic
6. Maignan
And hopefully we get to add Fofana, Samardzic and Tammy. 🔥❤️🖤💪🏾
Yeah he can add to his impressive resume that he won friendlies in some worthless US tour which purpose is to exhibit Pulisic and Musah alongside Yankees players. Maybe it would be wise to wait until the real season starts to judge him.
True
100%.
Truths!
LMAO 🤣🤣😂😂
Preseason bro. It’s a long way from complete. Even if those players come in ,it doesn’t guarantee we’ll do better. Who’s covering the defensive work Saelemakers is doing rn for instance, knowing very well Leao doesn’t track back and Theo is up the field with him.
Just FYI I didnt bash Fonseca or anything but to call other ppl clowns for having their opinions and then post this after a couple of preseason friendlies is another kind of special. I’d wait a few more games if I were u but there’s nothing in our play that’s wowing, me sorry. For u maybe and that’s fine but if we flop do we get the chance to call u the clown instead?
I am still a clown.
Is worthless for negative minded person,but important for the team and we positive supporters, pls anyone that is not ok with milan shd choose another team o. Imagine how serious guardiola and Ancelloti are in both matches. Oyibo na oyibo,black na black.
I understand that we can’t use tournament like this to fully rate this man until the season fully start , however, nobody has come to this tournament to lose.
Y milan fans always complain. U see a team performing during preseason which need to be praised but d next thing u can say is that it’s preseason then wait till when league resume before u judge.
If u not ooo with the coach or Milan u can exit through d next door and support another team pls
I said before Fonseca is good couch but we don’t have good squad
I’ll only speak for myself here but please all stop with the “if you don’t like it, support another team”. I pour money into this club. I go to San Siro, I buy tickets, sometimes merch and TV subscriptions. I spend time watching the games, reading the news. We don’t all have the same vision of being a fan. I’m just not a passive fan looking at friendlies results. I’m a fan since I’m 15 years old, I’ve witnessed the glorious era in the 2000s, the Scudetto in 2011 and tough moments. Where you guys being ecstatic during the banter era, being “positive”/”optimist” fans? I don’t like an owner saying “winning is boring”, “we focus on the US” and a management going after cheap recruits hoping that they can turn into superstars.
We’re past the banter era. Finances are fine. We have world class players. We won the Scudetto two years ago, we went to UCL semifinals one year ago. I’m not happy with “UCL appearance so the fans around the world can see us”. So please all of you stop with your unilateral concept of being a fan is being happy with anything. Milan is a football behemoth, Milan was on the verge to glory again until Jerry arrived in town and stopped the process for ROI and a hypothetical bright future.
We are all Milan fans but some want to win right now and some are happy with the budget and trading. So be it, let’s learn to live together.
@Barthomley, everything you wrote or type is your Choice sincerely. The Rate you complained and addresses Fonesca and Milan Management is SO Annoying and Disgusting, if its your Relatives in charge,will you be addressing in such Manners. Let’ us respect Boards,Management and everyone
They’re not my relatives. They’re professionals, heavily paid to do this job. They’re not impervious to criticism because they have a Milan logo on their payslip. Just don’t read my posts. In my opinion, and other fans around here with whom I share the same opinion, there is a lot of valid criticism. What is disgusting to me is executives saying “winning is boring”, “we don’t compete for trophies”, “I’ll pack Leao’s bag”, etc. What is annoying to me is fans celebrating the hiring of Paulo Fonseca or Morata like we’re on our way to win the UCL. But once again, so be it, life is frustrating, we all have to deal with it.
While I also have my doubts and will suspend judgment until the season starts, I think you’re being too harsh on the American ownership, and overlooking some very positive developments, like the push to build our own stadium, and the start of Milan Futuro. Also, the last mercato added some very good players: who can deny that Pulisic was a very smart signing? People were bashing him as a hire that was “only done because he is American, for merch” and he turned into one of Milan’s best players. I like the two new signings, Morata and Pavolovic. I’m ecstatic with Chuk doing so well (he took a while to gel last season but I’m confident that he will be a big asset this season) and impressed with young Liberali. I hope we do complete the midfield with a proper DM. And yes, it’s pre-season; yes, it’s facing famous opponents but they’re missing their big stars and starting their preparation; sure, but certainly, winning beats drawing or losing, and is good for morale. So, while I partially share your caution, you are being a bit too pessimistic.
The part I agree most with your post is the thing about “if you don’t like it, support another team.” Me too, I go to San Siro, I buy merch, I buy TV subscriptions, and I spend a huge amount of money on my huge passion for AC Milan; it is indeed annoying to receive this kind of rebuke anytime someone dares to express constructive criticism.
Well Furlani admitted that Pulisic was recruited for his commercial value. He even missed the Australian friendly because he had commercial appointments. He was with Jimmy Fallon, with the Yankees alongside Musah. We are lucky that he turned into a good player (he still has a lot to prove against strong oppositions) but the initial goal was business. Like everything this ownership and management do. Every single decision is a business decision in order to raise the value of the club and get ROI when Jerry will sell. Yeah football has became a stupid business most of the time but we had some success not long ago while balancing business ambitions and football ambitions. Jerry saying “we focus on the US” is painful for traditional fans. I’m not anti-US. I just hate this guy, that’s my opinion and I would say the same if he was French, Italian or Chinese.
But you understand that Puli isn’t a commercial waste of space, right? Like, he can play and score goals.
Being marketable Stateside and being a good footballer are NOT mutually exclusive events. Why can’t he be both? Musah isn’t exactly a door knob on this team either…
If he and Musah help raise for interest for our club and boost the number of fans wearing Milan kits (instead of a sea of white/light blue) then I’m all for it …
I dont share the strength in your conviction but I do share the sentiment. The new owners have certainly rubbed some fans the wrong way while others are fine to let certain things slip. I don’t. And u don’t either. But I am very happy we’re no longer in banter era mode. Just wished they’d capitalize on the moment like Maldini wanted to do. But they’re the owners and that’s what their MO is. I don’t buy these allegedly shiny objects they flash in front of fans faces. 120m spent and one clear winner out of the bunch so far? Yea, no I’m not that easy to impress. Sorry. Perhaps try zero budget and a UCL semi, something they’ll never replicate anytime soon and I’m sure that must eat at them 😂.
I’ll caveat that tonsaybi do think they do some good things like stadium, merch and marketing. But they lack something in the sporting and Milanista side and I think that was what Ancelotti was alluding to. Notice Carlo said yes Ibra is doing some things but Milan miss Maldini….. that’s telling to me. Ibra is no Maldini. He eventually settled with us but he wasn’t bandiera like Paolo. And that’s a massive difference
Word.
Milan have an obligation to win, always. We are not Atalanta or Roma. Never have been, never will be.
The new generations are more and more followers. Someone’s in charge and if he says this is the way we should just accept it. No!
Atalanta won EL 🙂 They have to be everyone’s favorite second team. Their story is riveting …
Obligation to win is the operative word my friend. That they happen to win last year is a bonus. But they’re once more starting out this year with zero duties to win the league or any other cup. Just as they have been to the last how many years I’ve known them
Not sure why you seek justification or validation on these threads, B. just be yourself and do you.
We may not always agree but it doesn’t make your takes or feelings less valid. You’re right – we all “fan” differently …
@Barthomley, everything you wrote or type is your Choice sincerely. The Rate you complained and addresses Fonesca and Milan Management is SO Annoying and Disgusting, if its your Relatives in charge,will you be addressing in such Manners. Let’ us respect Boards,Management and everyone
I think we first need to acknowledge the fact Fonseca in 1 month discovered 3 interesting players that none of us knew had this much potential Liberali, Nasti and Torriani. We also have Cuenca, Sia, Eletu, Zeroli, Bartesaghi, Mastrantonio, Camarda, Stalmach, Magni… Imagine only 3rd of this working out, we would have 4 players for free…
I can guarantee 95% if those players won’t work out or make it. We had an even better crop of players around 2012-ish and the best was Patagna and Calabria
After all this is what make us Milanista.
i’m sure those were the harsh words Gerry used towards Maldini and Mr M & R left.
why will you tell a consumer spending over 50£ on a product to get the fuck off and go elsewhere.
I can criticize the management and i can praise.
@barth has the right to express his feelings, criticize as much as he feels until he sees the result he feels due.
i am here to actually rate fonseca work against accelotti as great performance but seeing @barth comment sometimes give me a different perspective, sight seeing towards the management that need to be dealt with.
if we don’t have people like@ barth as fans then trust me milan is on its way back to mid tables.
@barth we need people like you, you have showed your love for milan in a different way and passion.
even if i won’t be on the same page with you all the time. i will love to seat and watch a live match with you at san siro.
Forza Milan Forza Fonseca
Milan fans should take it easy with Fosenca, I may not be the choice we wanted but with few weeks with the little squad we all see something different from Pioli era, the passes, the defending and build up, players like chukwueze, salesmaker all improve ld with some young lads given more minutes and confidence, what Pioli can’t do, for me it may not be the right time to jubilate or praise the coach but it either the right time to judge the coach, but for a truth there are some positive changes and it reflects on the pitch and on the players cause they are all happy.
So pls let’s cut all the argument and wait till the season starts before criticism or jubilation.