FONSECA: "UDINESE AN INTENSE AND DIFFICULT OPPONENT"

With the international break over, and after their away defeats to Leverkusen and Fiorentina, the Rossoneri are set to return to action at San Siro. The clash against Udinese on matchday 8 in Serie A represents an important juncture for the Rossoneri, whose next Champions League match is also just around the corner. Ahead of the game against the Friulani, Coach Fonseca held his pre-match press conference at Milanello, broadcast live on the AC Milan Official App and Milan TV.

ON THE SAN SIRO CLASH
"Udinese is an aggressive team, they play well and are highly motivated. They've had a great start to the season, so it will be an intense and very tough match. We'll need to be at our best to win. As for Theo's replacement? I haven't decided yet".

THE ROSSONERO'S WORK
"Change is always difficult. We're doing something different, and even I've reflected on it and realised I need to be more patient than I expected. We need time, we're starting to see some progress, but we have to keep going. There aren't many opportunities to work in training and focus on what I believe we need to improve. Rotation? We have to consider it at this moment".

THE CAPTAINS ARMBAND
"When I arrived, the team had three captains, the players with the most appearances for AC Milan: Calabria, Theo, and Leão. It's something I've respected, as I believe the team needs more leadership. The identity of who wears the armband isn't important, but how this responsibility is shared. We have other players who are leaders and can support whoever is captain".

EMERSON ROYAL, PULISIC AND MUSAH
"At Tottenham, he also played as a central defender, but I believe his best role is as a more defensive full-back. With Pulisic playing more centrally, he has the responsibility to attack down the flank. We'll see if we can play Emerson as a defensive full-back. As for Chris, I have to thank Pochettino for his understanding in releasing the players for the second friendly. He's in great form, and I think he's been the most consistent at the start of this season. Musah? I'm lucky to have a player like him who can cover various positions, but seeing him as a winger doesn't seem like an option at the moment".

AFTER FLORENCE
"We didn't have many players available for training, only yesterday were we at full strength. First, we talked about Fiorentina, then we started preparing for Udinese. It was important for me to discuss what happened in Florence, I don't turn a blind eye to problems, and we faced them by looking each other in the eye. I don't show my leadership in public, I'm not an actor. If I have something to say, I say it in the dressing room without worrying about names. No player is more important than the team, than AC Milan, everyone must take responsibility when they make mistakes. In Florence, we didn't show the grit or desire to run more than Fiorentina. It's all in the mind and for me, it was important to see that there wasn't any aggression. We need to run more than the others, and we didn't do that".

THE YOUNG ROSSONERI
"I have a lot of faith in them, many of them have great quality. I think the club, with Milan Futuro, has created an important space for them to help ease the transition from the youth teams to professional football. Liberali played with us in pre-season and showed he is a player with a bright future. He's a young player working with the First Team and needs to continue on his path of development. His time will come, and tomorrow he'll be in the squad".

TIME TO GROW
"We are working to get the team where I want it to be. We're doing this with little time available, but the players are responding well. We need to keep believing in our work, and I think in the future we will be a different team. I don't think too far ahead because every match is important, starting with tomorrow. At AC Milan, every challenge is decisive".

THE ROLE OF THE COACH
"Being a coach, having a role of responsibility, isn't something fun. There are good and bad moments, and it's hard to always have a smile on your face. I bring my passion every day. I love what I do, but it's not easy, just like it isn't for those around us, who see us come home after a tough day. There are difficult moments, but I enjoy what I do. It's not easy to be happy every day when you coach at a high level, but when you solve a problem, that's a moment of happiness".

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