FONSECA: "WE'LL NEED TO BE PERFECT DEFENSIVELY"

One of the most anticipated build-ups of the season is here. As we approach the first Champions League match, San Siro will host a clash that evokes great memories on Tuesday 17 September at 21:00 CEST. Our European journey begins with AC Milan v Liverpool, a fixture that was previewed in a press conference at Milanello by Coach Fonseca and Álvaro Morata, live on the AC Milan Official App and Milan TV.

PAULO FONSECA

ROSSONERI SUPPORT
"I'm sure that the support of our fans will be felt. It's always important for us, just like it was against Venezia. It's vital, and we'll need to feel their love against Liverpool."

BUILDING ON AC MILAN v VENEZIA
"I think wins bring confidence to players and fans, but it'll be a different game. Picking up a league victory was important; there were signs that the team was growing before, but coming away with a win has given us a lot of confidence. I liked our structure against Venezia, not only offensively. This is something that can be repeated on other occasions, but every match needs to be prepared for individually. We can improve in terms of connections between the players, and I consider positional play to be very important."

OUR OPPONENTS
"Liverpool are one of the best teams in Europe. They have a very strong positional game and excellent individual quality. We'll need to be perfect defensively to be in with an opportunity to win this match. In the Champions League, against these kinds of sides, you can't make any mistakes. We'll need to produce a complete performance in defence to then be able to attack with stability. Slot hasn't been at Liverpool long, and they have a few new players. However, for now, I don't see too many differences between the current side and Klopp's team: they have characteristics in common, like their organisation at the back. There have been changes on the flanks, but they counter in a similar way."

MIDFIELD
"Fofana arrived a bit later on in our preparations, so we can't expect the perfect player. He's improving and learning important details in what is a new position for him. I believe in him a lot, but he needs time to adapt to Serie A, which is very different to Ligue 1. We have options in midfield, despite Bennacer's injury. There are some talented youngsters like Zeroli and Vos, so I have several good players to choose from."

WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE WANT TO GO
"I see this match as an opportunity for the team to demonstrate that it's learning. Liverpool have different characteristics compared to the sides we play in Serie A, and facing them gives our players the chance to show how they're growing. The best form of defence is not losing possession; this is something I constantly say to the team. In this regard, we can be dominant in the future. We're already on the way but have the opportunity to become even more dominant. The biggest challenge, especially in such a match, is building a team capable of defending together."

ALL TOGETHER
"It has to be a team night, not the night of a few individuals. There's a lot of talk about individuals, but our objective is to be strong as a collective, which is something I prefer to speak about. Words are words; it doesn't mean anything to talk about favourites. We can beat Liverpool and want to do so."

ÁLVARO MORATA

THE EVE OF AC MILAN v LIVERPOOL
"I have good memories from the past against Liverpool, but now a new chapter is beginning. We have the number 7 on our sleeves, which represents responsibility. We need to improve, but this team contains a lot of quality, and we can grow. When I signed for this Club, I didn't imagine I'd be playing my first Champions League match here against Liverpool at San Siro. It's a clash that has taken place in the final before, a showdown that has made history in this sport. We can't wait to play."

EUROPEAN OPENER
"The Champions League is different to anything else. It doesn't matter how you get there, or when. There are the best teams in Europe, and that's all you need to know. When you train with a different ball, you understand the difference and just how important it is. It's a big match for us, but I don't think it'll tell us the true level of this team: we still need to work on a lot of playing patterns."

STATE OF PLAY
"Very few times in my career have I seen as much quality as there is here at AC Milan, but that's not always enough. We need to believe, remain level-headed and implement our ideas as we play. The win over Venezia was the result of how we worked during the week. If we're not the first ones to believe in ourselves, the people around us won't believe in us. We still haven't demonstrated our true strength as a team and our individual quality. We've all had excellent careers, and we're ready to win and show that we're high-quality players."

ON HIMSELF
"I'm feeling good physically and have worked hard to improve my condition. I'd like to thank the Club for everything they've done for me during this period. It's great to be back in Italy, and I'm very happy. Over the years, Italian football has changed a lot. Now, there are many good sides, and the league is more similar and closer to the Premier League."

FOFANA
"He's a very positive character. He's trying to talk Italian, but he also speaks Spanish to me or in Portuguese. If you can adapt to the extent he has in just 20-25 days, it says a lot about you and your quality. He has a lot of character and can become a key figure for us; he has the characteristics to do just this."

LIVERPOOL
"If we already start thinking about the derby, we'll waste important energy and it wouldn't be right. We'll focus on Inter after our next match."

Tickets are available for AC Milan v Liverpool and AC Milan v Lecce: see you at San Siro!