The Milan is ready to take the field at the “Santiago Bernabeu”. In fact, the Rossoneri face Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid in the match valid for the fourth day of the “Championship phase” of the Champions League. Paulo Fonseca, Milan coach, presented the match in the press conference by immediately giving an indication of the formation: “Rafael Leao? We expect what we normally expect, which could be decisive. Did it bother me that everyone was talking about Leao? No, honestly no. I know what is important for me and for the team. It is normal for you to talk about these situations, but I have to follow my path.”
The latest training
As for the rest of the lineup, with Maignan in goal, in the Rossoneri 4-3-3 Emerson Royal, Thiaw, Tomori and Theo Hernandez will make up the defensive line. In midfield Fofana and Reijnders with the new midfielder Musah, Pulisic on the right and Leao on the left up front, Morata in attack. The eleven are therefore defined.
Here are Paulo Fonseca’s full statements at the press conference:
“You face matches like this with great motivation, it’s a great opportunity. Real Madrid is the main candidate to win the Champions League. For us it’s an opportunity to demonstrate our value, facing the best players without fear of anything, with courage, because we believe we can play a good match.”
Draw tomorrow positive result?
“I honestly try to always convey the desire to win. And tomorrow will not be different, knowing what Real Madrid is. I only think about winning.”
Does Leao play?
“He will play from the start tomorrow, we expect him to be able to do what he can do.”
How much is Morata helping Milan?
“For me, Alvaro is a very important player, not only as a player but as a professional. He is a very, very intelligent player who is doing very well, he is very important for our team. He needs to play, what he is doing for the team is decisive for us. Playing here is special for him, but I expect to have Alvaro like we had during the season, working hard for the team with a lot of energy.”
Ancelotti said that Milan have potential…
“Ancelotti is a reference for me. He is the best coach in the world: what he says must be listened to. It’s good to hear his thoughts on Milan, I thank him.”
Have you seen the Clasico?
“I saw Real-Barcelona, it’s impossible not to watch it, also because they are teams that I like to watch. Obviously we are a different team, but we used the images of the Clasico to prepare for this match.”
Does it bother you that everyone talks about Leao?
“No, honestly no. I know what’s important for me and for the team. It’s normal for you to talk about these situations, but I have to follow my path.”
Milan with two strikers tomorrow?
“No, because Abraham is not in the best condition.”
What season is Theo in?
“He is returning after some physical difficulties, he is better and can be even better.”
What do you think of the Ballon d’Or?
“For me, individual awards are not important, but I understand… Decisions must be respected. It’s difficult to say who deserves more.”
What does it mean to play against Ancelotti?
“It’s always special, I’m a big fan of Ancelotti, both as a coach and as a person.”
Is it the European derby?
“The teams that have won the most Champions League will face each other.”
Does this eve resemble that of the derby you then won?
“It’s similar that Milan were not favorites against Inter and they won’t be favorites tomorrow, but they are totally different games, also because they are opponents with totally different playing styles. We prepared the match differently”..
Here are Mike Maignan’s full statements at the press conference:
“This match is played with clarity. Having experienced players can help, but we must play with a family spirit”
How are the renewal dialogues progressing?
“For the renewal now it’s not the most important thing, there’s a match tomorrow.”
How is the relationship with Mbappe in France?
“Tomorrow we will play against Kylian, we always talk. He is a quality player even if he is in a difficult phase at the moment. I have no doubt that he will do well.”
How much does playing against opponents like Vinícius Júnior or Bellingham excite you?
“Football for me is always adrenaline, it always makes me enthusiastic to play against anyone, so for me the best thing is to win together with my teammates.”
Do you feel like one of the best goalkeepers in the world?
“If I don’t think I’m the best, no one will do it for me. I’m 5 of the top players as a goalkeeper but I still have to improve. However, my priority is tomorrow’s match.”
Dumas said that courage instills fear in enemies…
“Every match has its own story. At every moment we must have courage. The only fear we must have is that it isn’t us.”