AC Milan boss Paulo Fonseca has suggested his side will use a five-man defence to help Emerson Royal contain Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior tonight.
It is on paper as difficult a game that Milan could get in the ‘league phase’ of the new UCL format, given that Real Madrid are not only the team that have won it most (15 times) but they are the current holders too.
In addition to that, they possess a plethora of talent from Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe to Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Federico Valverde. In short, it will be a tall order for Milan to get a positive result.
Paulo Fonseca has chosen to make four changes to the starting line-up compared to the one that beat Monza at the weekend. The most notable of those is Yunus Musah coming in either as an extra midfielder or as a right winger, something we must wait and see.
Fonseca spoke to Sky Italia around 30 minutes before kick-off and tried to explain some of his selection decisions. MilanNews transcribed his comments.
How do you plan to stop Vinicius Jr.?
“I think we know what we have prepared. We have prepared a helping hand with Musah and in many moments to have a line of five, to help Emerson.”
Will you attack more down the left?
“I expect to see Rafa and Theo in great shape and make the difference. By defending like this we create more conditions for Rafa to have more freedom. A difficult match but also a good one to play, manage the game with the ball. I’m positive.”
What have you told the team ahead of them playing at the Bernabeu?
“I told them that we are lucky to have this moment in our lives: they have to make the most of the game. I told them that we are facing the best team in the world and we have to be rigorous defensively. But it is also a moment for the players to show their values.”
How do you expect Real Madrid to play?
“I expect a very attacking Real Madrid. I expect attacking offensive moments and we know that Mbappé and Vinicius are key in many individual situations. Playing at home it will be attacking.”
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