Milan has two clear short-term objectives: maintain the positive trend in Serie A and start scoring points in the Champions League starting with tonight’s match at the BayArena against Bayer Leverkusen. Fonseca doesn’t want to take risks from a technical point of view with a team that is starting to assimilate certain mechanisms. The turnover, therefore, will be used later and in this phase, however, it will be limited only to necessary choices dictated by physical condition. This is why against the German champions there will be only one reasoned substitution (Pavlovic for Tomori) and one dictated by some physical problems (Loftus-Cheek for Morata). MILAN IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ON NOW: HOW TO SEE IT ON NOW
REDEMPTION OPERATION – Loftus-Cheek’s first season with the Rossoneri was very good in terms of scoring with 6 goals in Serie A and 4 in the Europa League. Pioli deployed the English giant more as a second striker than as an attacking midfielder, taking advantage of his overflowing physicality in set play. In terms of performances, however, Rubén fully convinced only in the victory in the Champions League on 7 November 2023 at San Siro against PSG. The Englishman has found many difficulties in trying to evolve from a tactical point of view: devastating when he can attack spaces on the counterattack, scholastic when he is called upon to build the game against opponents closed in defence. A big match like tonight at the BayArena can mark a new start for the Rossoneri.
WHAT FONSECA ASKS OF HIM – At this stage of the season Fonseca knows that the result becomes even more important to acquire the necessary conviction, then also to pursue a certain type of technical project. Few have already assimilated the Portuguese coach’s concepts, Loftus-Cheek is part of that group of players who enjoy the coach’s trust but at the same time are far behind in preparation. Fonseca wants to improve the Englishman in the possession phase: now he is mainly strong in control, the ambition is to mold a player who can also work vertically and when dribbling. What better opportunity than a Champions League match against the German champions to start this new journey?
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