AC Milan’s Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca watches the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Torino at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, on August 17, 2024. (Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI/AFP) (Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP via Getty Images)
Paulo Fonseca believes tonight’s Champions League clash with Liverpool is “a game with the right characteristics” for Rafael Leao to turn on the heat in Milan.
It kicks off at San Siro at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
You can follow all the buildup and action as it happens from this game and Juventus-PSV Eindhoven sul LIVEBLOG.
It is worrying that there is no sell-out tonight, given that AC Milan fans have been very cold towards Fonseca’s appointment.
“It’s always wonderful to play here in front of our fans and their support is very important,” The coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“It’s a great game against a great team, we expect to put in a good performance to make our supporters proud.”
The Rossoneri had started the season very poorly, with just two points from three Serie A matchdays, but on Saturday they got their first win, sweeping aside Venice 4-0.
There are several changes compared to the team that won that match, including the return of Alvaro Morata, Davide Calabria and Fikayo Tomori.
Fonseca continues to experiment with the new Milan team
Fonseca was asked whether they will deploy a three-man midfield or a 4-2-3-1.
“I think the structure is important, but not the most important thing. We want to have clear intentions, I liked the most recent performance, but this will be very different because the opponents have very different characteristics.
“We want to play our game and it will take a very strong collective performance.”
Rafael Leao has shown his best and worst so far this season, falling against Lazio and then providing a sensational piece of skill to set up Theo Hernandez for the match against Venezia.
“The players’ motivation is always very high. Rafa has always done well in the Champions League and we expect him to be decisive today, because it’s a match with the right characteristics for Rafa.”
He will have to deal with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is very good in attack but has often had difficulties in defence.