Paulo Fonseca stated Milan have loads of “respect” for Juventus, however his facet “aren’t afraid” of their rivals forward of their Serie A conflict on Saturday.
After a gradual begin to the season, Milan are six factors adrift of Juventus within the desk, however solely a spot behind them, as they intention to make up the bottom on the highest six.
The Rossoneri have performed a sport lower than Thiago Motta’s facet, and will catapult themselves again into the Scudetto image with a win this weekend.
Milan return to the San Siro for the primary time since a 2-0 defeat to Napoli on the finish of October, and will register two consecutive house defeats in Serie A for the primary time since between October and November in 2023.
“It’s not decisive, however it can be crucial, like all of them,” Fonseca informed reporters forward of Saturday’s sport.
“I can’t say that the sport towards Juve is extra vital than the subsequent one towards Empoli as a result of we’d like consecutive victories.
“It’s a unique sport, however I at all times assume positively. We’re Milan, we’ve quite a lot of respect for the ‘Bianconeri’, however we aren’t afraid. We’re right here able to win.”
Step-by-step in direction of the large conflict #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/uMMLf45A3Y
— AC Milan (@acmilan) November 20, 2024
A lift for Milan is that Juventus shall be with out prime scorer Dusan Vlahovic for Saturday’s conflict after getting back from worldwide responsibility with a muscle drawback.
Regardless of the Serbian’s absence, Fonseca was conscious of the hazard his possible substitute, Timothy Weah, would pose, having managed him throughout his time at Lille.
“Juve is aware of how one can adapt very properly. I don’t know if Weah will play,” Fonseca stated.
“Weah may be very quick and assaults deep, not like Vlahovic. It won’t be the identical factor after all.
“We must take note of actions in depth and fewer to assist work, as a result of he’s a participant who does much less of this job.”
Whereas Fonseca has endured a stuttering begin to his tenure on the San Siro, Milan have proven they’ve the flexibility to match the easiest.
They beat rivals Inter in October earlier than gorgeous Actual Madrid on the Bernabeu of their final Champions League encounter, holding their play-off hopes alive.
“I imagine it’s a matter of motivation and never strain,” Fonseca stated.
“Towards Inter, Juve and Actual it’s straightforward to be motivated, it’s tougher to go to Cagliari and have the identical motivation.
“Stress is at all times with us, every single day. If we don’t need to have strain, then we shouldn’t be right here.”