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.”