Rafa Benitez sees Milan ‘change’ after defeat vs. Liverpool and Bologna improvements | OneFootball

Former Inter and Napoli coach Rafa Benitez admits Paulo Fonseca ‘changed’ his Milan side after a 3-1 Champions League loss against Liverpool and warns the Reds about Bologna‘s improvements.

The Champions League Round 2 starts on Tuesday with Milan visiting Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen and Inter hosting Crvena Zvezda at San Siro.

Benitez coached Xabi Alonso at Liverpool, winning the 2005 Champions League against Milan in an epic final in Istanbul.

“It’s a good moment [for Xabi Alonso], and it’s been so for years,” Benitez told Gazzetta.

“He won the Bundesliga and just drew 1-1 against Bayern, who had a solid start to the Champions League season.”

Milan met the Reds in the Champions League Round 1, but the Rossoneri lost 3-1 and left the pitch amid boos from their own fans.

Fonseca was on the brink of being sacked, but consecutive victories against Inter and Lecce seem to have changed his fate.

Rafa Benitez sees Milan ‘change’ after defeat vs. Liverpool and Bologna improvements

“The Liverpool game didn’t end well, but Milan bounced back immediately and almost unexpectedly in the derby against Inter,” argued Benitez.

“Given the environment, it was not easy to succeed, but Milan reacted, and then they did it again against Lecce. Personality is a quality.

“The defeat against Liverpool produced a change, and having Alvaro Morata is a plus. He brings his ruthlessness inside the box and his experience is an added value. There is less pressure on the Champions now, and Milan know they can have a chance to recover. It’s only Round 2 and we don’t even know how many points are needed to qualify for the knock-out.”

Another Serie A club, Bologna, will face the Reds at Anfield on Tuesday.

“Playing at Anfield, one of the temples of football, is fascinating and gives irresistible emotions,” Benitez admitted.

“Liverpool’s quality needs no introduction. The players’ names say it all. Players hope to play games like this, and Bologna are reaping the rewards of extraordinary work. Then, there are 90 minutes with expectations and needs. It’s trivial to say that it will be tough, but Italiano has improved in recent games.”

Benitez’s ex-club Inter make their home debut in the competition on Tuesday night.

“The draw against Manchester City highlighted the international level. Inzaghi has fixed things after the derby. He won in Udine with Lautaro’s goal and now he needs to rediscover his true self against Crvena Zvezda,” said Benitez.

“No games, even those that seem easier on paper, can be faced with superficiality. Inter know it well. They won’t be tricked and will try to confirm that the defeat against Milan was just a fluke.”