Possible changes in Milan’s lineup ahead of today’s match against Juventus: Pulisic hasn’t been at his best in the last two days and his ownership is in doubt. The American will be evaluated, if he doesn’t make it then Loftus-Cheek is ready to play behind the striker, Morata. On the right, regardless of Pulisic/Loftus, there will be Chukwueze, on the left Leao. Possible surprise move in defense: Fonseca is ready to field the new pair Gabbia and Thiaw, with Tomori on the bench. The rest of the lineup doesn’t foresee any big surprises at the moment: in midfield the very starting Fofana and Reijnders, Maignan in goal and Theo and Emerson Royal as full-backs.
The words of Paulo Fonseca in the press conference on the eve of Milan-Juventus:
“Will Vlahovic be missing? Juve knows how to adapt well to the players available. I don’t know if Weah will play, I know him well because he worked with me not as a striker, but they will have different intentions compared to when Vlahovic is there. Weah is very fast in the depth, it will be different and maybe we have to pay attention to these movements in depth by Timothy and not to working with his back to goal.”
What features does Sinner have? Would you also like them on your team?
“It was a pleasure to support a Milan player like Sinner. He has many good things that I would like to see in my team, even if he plays an individual sport. His ability to concentrate is impressive, he almost never makes mistakes because he is very focused. Obviously I would like see the same in my team.”
Is tomorrow decisive?
“No, it’s important. Among other things, I can’t say that the match against Juve is more important than the one against Empoli, because we need to win more victories in a row. We are Milan, we have a lot of respect for Juve , but we are not afraid.”
In the two games with their backs against the wall, against Inter and Real Madrid, his team pulled off a great performance. Is it calmer for tomorrow?
“I don’t feel pressure for these types of matches. It’s a question of motivation. It’s easy to understand that against Inter, Juve, Real Madrid you’re motivated, then it’s more difficult to go to Cagliari and find the same motivation. Then there’s the pressure always: those who are at Milan have pressure every day.”
Does Morata see him as motivated by his ex?
“It’s important to have Rafa and Morata in a good moment, they can make the difference in this type of match. In training I saw them very well, very motivated and I expect them to show this tomorrow too.”
Milan have a penalty area player tomorrow, Juve does not.
“We always want to be offensive and we do well offensively. But we don’t depend on one player, everyone depends on everyone. Juve are very strong defensively.”
Tactics like in Madrid?
“I think it will be a different match. I think Juve are stronger defensively than Real Madrid, as a team they defend better.”
The goals conceded have not improved…
“I don’t want to run away from the team’s problem, which is the defensive phase. I was lucky enough to have many defenders here during the break and we worked a lot on the defensive line and I expect the team to progress.”
How is Theo?
“Theo is a great footballer, for me he is the best left back in the world and I have no doubts about this. It was a question of adaptation. We spoke in recent days, he is learning things that are important and it seemed to me, in this week, more motivated than ever. And this is an important sign to have Theo at the highest level.”
Jovic called up?
“Jovic is not well. Camarda will be called up.”
How is the balance invoked by Ibra achieved?
“You want three midfielders (laughs, ed.). I agree with Zlatan: we have to find this balance. We have already had balanced performances against the best teams, so the team has capacity. I think it is above all a problem of concentration and in attitude, in how we approach matches against smaller teams.”
Deschamps said that Theo is tired psychologically…
“I spoke to Theo. I think it’s not mental fatigue. It’s a question of adaptation. But I don’t want to comment on Deschamps’ words.”
How is Gabbia?
“He’s fine, he’s ready to play.”
Milan last for duels won and steals.
“It may be a question of characteristics, we are not a very aggressive team in the defensive phase. But certain recoveries can be counted all over the pitch. We are working a lot on duels, on anticipation, on one-on-ones.”
In big matches, he has always surprised with his lineup: will there be a fonsecata tomorrow too?
“I’m not inventing anything new. We have to pay attention to Juve’s characteristics, but it won’t be anything new.”
Juve drew 4-4 with Inter when Vlahovic left…
“I really like Juve, they are a different team from last year and they are offensively strong. There is a lot of talk about Vlahovic, but the most decisive players are the wingers.”
Is this the last Scudetto chance for Milan?
“It’s an important match.”
Leao in Portugal said he needs to be more selfish…
“I understand what Rafa said. I think he means he needs to be more decisive, I agree. I think Rafa can be more decisive. He is working to do that, I have no doubts about that.”
How to change the mentality?
“It’s a problem in the head, I have no problem saying it. After Madrid I said that it would have been more difficult to win in Cagliari: I didn’t say it because I’m crazy, but because I wanted to send a message to the group. That’s why I talked about it so much I know that this team relaxes a bit against the small teams, I wanted the opposite, trying to make it clear. I think we didn’t understand it well. In Madrid we play well, we win, we’re all euphoric, then we go to Cagliari before the break and there I tried to send a message. I know that this team has difficulty motivating itself as they did against Real Madrid. It often happens to teams that play in the Champions League. You too are more motivated to do your job at the Bernabeu than at Cagliari. but we have to fight this.”
Can Loftus-Cheek play as a winger like Musah in Madrid?
“I don’t know because I haven’t tried it.”
Can this team go on a winning streak?
“I spoke about this with the players today. We need to win several games in a row and we have this ability. We have to do it if we want to fight for the Scudetto.”
What makes you optimistic?
“How the players are formed on our ideas, how the team is progressing, then because I am always positive and the players work well.”
Loftus-Cheek seems a little soft…
“All the players here had many opportunities. I’m happy with Loftus-Cheek. He had difficulties at the start, he’s not a space player, but a player who transports the ball. He played a good game against Napoli. It’s just that I I also have Pulisic and Reijnders in a good moment. So it’s more difficult for Loftus.”
Does Milan need reinforcements in January, despite what Ibra and Moncada said?
“We have solutions here, like Bennacer, there isn’t much time left for him to return to the squad. He can play Fofana’s position. During the week I spoke with my staff about Fofana: if he has a problem who plays in his place? Loftus can be a solution there, adapted, Musah can do it too. They would be adapted, but they can play that role until Bennacer returns. He is the only left back, but we can play with the right there: I have faith in Bartesaghi, he can help the team. team; I like him a lot, he has the conditions to play in our team if Theo is not there. The Milan Futuro is a totally different context. It is also more difficult for Camarda to play with the Milan Futuro than in Serie C. The January market is not easy, bringing in players and making them adapt quickly.”