FONSECA: "TOUGH, IMPORTANT, AND A MUST-WIN GAME"

Celebrations on Wednesday? One hopes. Tuesday is definitely spent in anticipation of the game. Milanello is in full swing preparing for AC Milan v Red Star, the sixth Champions League match scheduled for Wednesday 11 December, 21:00 CET at San Siro. Coach Fonseca and Matteo Gabbia spoke in a press conference, live on the AC Milan Official App and Milan TV.

PAULO FONSECA

RED STAR
"We are facing a team that did well in their last game in Europe. They are a physical team, good on the counter-attack, they have fast forwards. It will be a difficult match for us, but an important one to win. We are working to improve - I'm confident we will finish with better results than our current situation. I remain positive, although I understand the fans' disappointment at the moment. The Champions League is a prestigious competition, ingrained in the Rossoneri's DNA, but I'm not looking too far ahead: the goal is to beat Red Star."

DEFENCE
"Defensively, we've improved a lot recently. In Bratislava, it was a special game that made us grow. I'm sure we'll do well defensively against Red Star."

THE COMMUNITY
"I feel protected by the club; I've always felt their support."

THE PLAYERS
"We will play Loftus-Cheek in place of Pulisic - he has different characteristics, but I have total confidence that he can do the job well. Loftus-Cheek tends to keep the ball more, and in Europe there are often more spaces. I'm following Hernández closely and he is training well: he is improving and must continue like this. Morata with Abraham? As always it's a possibility, but I don't think so against Red Star."

MATTEO GABBIA

EUROPEAN AMBITION
"We won't underestimate the opponent - we've watched and studied them. We want to win, and it will depend on us, on our will and attention we put in. We have to focus on Red Star; we will put our energy on the Champions League and only after that will we prepare for the league again. The Champions League is a beautiful, fierce competition: we believe in ourselves and hope to go as far as possible."

DESIRE FOR REDEMPTION
"We are angry when we don't win and we want to fight back. Nobody is happy with the points we have in the league so far, so we must have the strength to improve. The team doesn't get complacent; every defeat bothers us."

MILAN SPIRIT
"I'm happy with what I'm doing; my goal is to help the team with my strengths. Captain's armband? It would be a dream but I don't think about it, as very important players are wearing it. Our 125th anniversary? An important milestone for a historic club - we want to make the fans proud."

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