AC Milan will need to be flawless defensively when they host Premier League side Liverpool in their Champions League opener at San Siro, manager Paulo Fonseca stated on Monday. The seven-time European champions Milan are currently ninth in Serie A, having secured just one win from their first four matches. They will face Liverpool on Tuesday.
Liverpool, who started their Premier League campaign under new coach Arne Slot with three convincing wins and no goals conceded, were unexpectedly defeated 1-0 by Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday. They currently sit fourth in the English top-flight.
“I think Liverpool is one of the strongest teams in Europe. They have a good game and strong individuals. We have to be perfect defensively, you cannot make mistakes,” Fonseca told reporters.
“I see it as an opportunity to show our progress. It will lead us to do different things… but also to prove our worth.
“I am sure it will, the support of our fans is always important for us. Tomorrow it will be like that, we want to feel their love.”
Milan play rivals Inter Milan in Serie A on Sunday, and the Portuguese remained tight-lipped about any potential changes in the squad.
Milan have already suffered a blow with defensive midfielder Ismael Bennacer undergoing surgery on his right calf. The 26-year-old Algeria international’s recovery period is estimated to be four months.
“We have many games and I have to think about all of them. Tomorrow is definitely the most important because it’s the next one, but I can’t forget that on Sunday there’s the derby,” Fonseca said.
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Milan’s new signing, Alvaro Morata, expected a stiff test against Liverpool.
The 31-year-old Spanish striker has scored once in two appearances for Milan since joining from LaLiga club Atletico Madrid on a four-year contract in July.
“It will be a great challenge, we have so many different players and we have to fix so many mechanisms, only time will tell,” Morata said.
“Ever since you arrive at a club like this you dream of playing with Liverpool in the Champions League, it could even be a semi-final, it’s strange that we play right away. There is so much desire. These are the games that make sporting history.”