Fonseca's Milan arrive at the Bentegodi: difficult weeks for the coach who sees his bench at risk
Paulo Fonseca doesn't feel his bench is at risk but rumors say the opposite: results are needed to remain at the helm of Milan and the next challenges will be fundamental for the Portuguese coach. The match in Verona will be the last championship away match of 2024, then on 29 December the Rossoneri will host Roma for the last match of the year and on 3 January, in Riyadh, there will be the semi-final of the Italian Super Cup against Juventus.
In the usual press conference before the match the coach was asked if he felt in the balance: “Honestly no. I don't feel at risk. If we look at the results we have a lot to do, but we know what we need to change in this team,” was his response.
In Verona Fonseca will deploy the 4-2-3-1 and Jimenez will play, preferred to Theo Hernández and to those who ask why the Frenchman doesn't play he replies: “We talked. His situation is easy to explain: Theo has played a lot, he hasn't found the best physical condition, he needs to renew his condition to feel good. It's very important to us. It's not a punishment that he's out, it's simply to ensure that he can return to the condition of being the best full-back in the world.”
As regards the dressing room situation, the Portuguese reassures everyone:“I know how things are, you don't watch the training sessions. Maybe one of these days we'll invite you to see the atmosphere of the team. There's a great atmosphere and when it's like that it's easier to work. I have never felt the team without confidence, without the desire to work, with sadness.”
The fans' protest
“Victories bring confidence to everyone. If we win against Verona and Roma and have a good Super Cup, there is another image of the team.” Fonseca said. President Scaroni, speaking on Radio Serie A, also wanted to reassure the fans: “Through sustainability, we are the Italian team that has invested the most. Then we see the results or not because football is like that.
“Through Milan Futuro we have made a big bet on young people, Milan Futuro which costs us several millions, but it is an investment that we want to make. Then in football not all plans always give results in the short term, but I am confident. The fans have faith because we want to win, even if sometimes we don't succeed.”concluded Scaroni.
Puppies are also on the field
On the occasion of Verona-Milan, for the first time in Italy the two teams will present themselves at the kick-off alongside the puppy dogs to raise public awareness of animal adoption. The captains of the two teams and five players from Milan and Verona will take to the pitch in the company of seven mixed breed puppies, inhabitants of the “Dog and Cat Refuge – animal welfare centre” managed by ENPA Verona.
“We are extremely happy and satisfied, we cared a lot about this project. There are still many animals who live in a context like that of the kennel and deserve love and welcome in the family”declared Maurizio Setti, president of Hellas Verona.
