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“I knew it would be difficult”

Paulo Fonseca fiercely defended his performances at AC Milan, but admitted once again that his team are very vulnerable defensively.

Milan began their 2024-25 Champions League campaign with a defeat as they beaten 3-1 at San Siro by Liverpool Tuesday night, but it started well when Christian Pulisic fired a low shot inside the far post less than three minutes into the game.

Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk both headed from set pieces to completely turn the game upside down before half-time, with Dominik Szoboszlai then making a close-range third to finally decide the game.

In reality it looked like the Rossoneri wouldn’t really get back into the game after that and they were booed by the fans who are unhappy with the results so far this season and the worrying level of performance.

After admitting during an interview with Sky that his team were weak defensively and that they were not following his plan, Fonseca spoke at his post-match press conference. MilanNews reported his comments.

What do you think about the fans’ protests?

“I don’t think it was an attitude problem. We started well, both defensively and offensively. However, after their second goal we lost our emotional balance, the team started making mistakes that are inevitable against teams like Liverpool. I have to say that Liverpool were stronger than us and are stronger than us at the moment.”

What is the most serious problem?

“I haven’t spoken to the boys yet. We have multiple problems. When things are going well, the team wants to play and do things well, when there are problems, the team lacks the courage to do the same. Defensively, we are vulnerable, we are vulnerable. In one-on-one it has always been difficult, there are clear difficulties.”

Can the problems for the derby be solved?

“Working, looking, showing what we did well and what we did wrong. The goals against are not very active for this kind of competition. But working is the only way to change things.”

Did you expect it to be this difficult when you signed for Milan?

“They brought me here to change the way the team plays and that’s what I’m trying to do. I knew it would be difficult. Changing so much is always difficult and it turns out not to be easy because it’s a very big change.

“I’m still as strong as on the first day, knowing that the results are not what we want and that we don’t have time. What got me here is my way of playing and that’s what I’ll continue to do with this team.”