Fonseca on Milan-Juventus, Theo Hernandez claim and Camarda chance | OneFootball

Paulo Fonseca has given his pre-match verdict ahead of Milan’s Serie A clash at home against Juventus on Sunday evening, explaining that Thiago Motta’s side are ‘better’ than Real Madrid in terms of defence, but has also explained why the Bianconeri are no more important than Empoli.

Fonseca sat down for his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon ahead of Milan’s visit from Juventus, which will kick off at 17.00 GMT on Sunday evening.

Fonseca: ‘Milan are not afraid of Juventus’

Fonseca has insisted that his players are by no means ‘afraid’ of their upcoming encounter with The Old Lady, and has stressed the importance of pulling together a series of league wins, with Empoli coming up in just over a week’s time.

“It’s important, but I can’t say that the Juventus match is any more important than the one against Empoli, because we need to win more than one in a row. We are Milan, we have a lot of respect for Juve, but we are not afraid.”

The Rossoneri coach is encouraged by what he has seen from the likes of Rafael Leao and Alvaro Morata over the international break.

“It’s great to have Rafa and Morata in a good spell, they can make the difference in this sort of game. I saw them doing very well in training, motivated, and I expect them to show this tomorrow as well.

“We always want to play and do well offensively, but we won’t depend on one player. Everyone depends on everyone. Juve are strong defensively.”

Fonseca went on to explain why he has no issues in motivating his players for this sort of game, and then claimed that Juventus are better than recent opponents Real Madrid in terms of their defensive play.

“I don’t feel pressure for this type of game, it’s a question of motivation. It’s easy to understand that the players are motivated against Inter, Juve, Real Madrid, it’s more difficult to go to Cagliari and have that same desire.”

Asked if he would deploy similar tactics to the game away against Madrid, Fonseca replied: “I think it will be a different game. I think Juve are stronger than Real Madrid defensively. They defend better as a team.”

AC Milan’s Alvaro Morata (L) celebrates after scoring the 1-2 goal during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Real Madrid and AC Milan, in Madrid, Spain, 05 November 2024. EPA-EFE/Juanjo Martin

Juventus set-up, Weah possibility and Vlahovic absence

Fonseca also spoke about Timothy Weah, as the two have previously played together for Lille. The USMNT star is expected to replace Dusan Vlahovic up top for Juventus on Sunday.

“Juve know how to adapt well to the players they have available. I don’t know if Weah will play, but I do know him well because he worked with me, not as a striker, but they will have different intentions to when Vlahovic is with them.”

“Weah is very fast and plays from deep, it will be a different game and we might need to pay extra attention to Timothy’s movements, less so with the work with his back to goal.”

Milan team news and Theo Hernandez claim: ‘Best left-back in the world’

The coach gave his verdict on Theo Hernandez as well. France national team head coach Didier Deschamps claimed last week that the Milan full-back is tired mentally.

In response, Fonseca said: “Theo is a great player, for me he is the best left-back in the world and I have no doubts about that. It was a question of adaptation. We’ve spoken over the last few days, he is still learning and this week, he seemed more motivated than ever. And this is a promising sign to have Theo at the highest possible level.”

Theo Hernandez Milan (Photo by Gabriel BOUYS / AFP) (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)

Fonseca also gave an update on Milan’s team news, revealing that teenage sensation Francesco Camarda will be called up again in the absence of Luka Jovic.

“Jovic is not well. Camarda will be called up.”

And on Matteo Gabbia, he confirmed: “He’s fine, he’s ready to play.”