Fonseca: ‘Morata important for Milan, Serie A toughest for coaches’ | OneFootball

Paulo Fonseca admits Alvaro Morata is ‘an important player’ for Milan in many different ways, but the trip to Fiorentina confirms Serie A is ‘the toughest in the world for a coach.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games on the Liveblog.

Although they have won their last three domestic fixtures, the Rossoneri lost both Champions League ties to Liverpool and midweek Bayer Leverkusen.

There were significant improvements in the performance in Germany, but only in the final half-hour after they had gone behind.

“It is clear to me that the team is growing. It’s true we didn’t win against Leverkusen, but I still saw improvements both defensively and in attack,” Fonseca told DAZN.

“We must realise that every game in Serie A is difficult, that this is a very different opponent to Bayer Leverkusen, so when we are up against a team that plays man for man. I think the players realised that you have to approach it another way.

“I feel that today our positioning is going to be the key to winning the game.”

Fonseca glad to get Morata back for Milan

Morata returns to the starting XI after injury worries, so how essential has the Spain international become to the Rossoneri?

“He is an important player in our structure, but also for his experience, his energy, aggression in the way he works to help the defence. He sets the example for the others and when we played with him, the team has done better.”

Fonseca has always said Milan must play the same way, whether at San Siro or on their travels, but even he admits there are limits to that when visiting Fiorentina.

“It’s always difficult to get three points in Serie A, regardless of where you are! As far as I am concerned, Serie A is the toughest in the world for a coach. I think coaches come here find a totally different reality,” concluded the Portuguese boss.

“In one game we have to be like this, in another different. There are teams who work with different tactical structures and we have to analyse them all. It’s very difficult for coaches, very difficult indeed.”