Fonseca: ‘Magnificent Morata, right response from Leao’

Paulo Fonseca believes Milan ‘deserved to win by more goals’ against Monza and heaped praise upon ‘magnificent’ Alvaro Morata, while he saw the right attitude from substitute Rafael Leao.

The mood in the Rossoneri camp was dire following two defeats in their last three Serie A games, including the midweek 2-0 loss at home to leaders Napoli.

However, Theo Hernandez and Tijjani Reijnders returned from suspension and made an immediate difference, as the Dutchman turned in the rebound after Alvaro Morata’s header was charged down.

Youssouf Fofana told Sky Sport Italia that it was ‘not a good Milan’ performance, worse than in the defeat to Napoli.

“The result was the most important thing, but I do not agree totally with Fofana, as I feel we had some great moments,” replied Fonseca to the same interviewer.

“I think we actually deserved to win by more goals for what we did in the second half.”

Fonseca trying to get best out of Leao

There was squad rotation, above all Rafael Leao left on the bench for the third Serie A match in a row, ahead of the Champions League trip to Real Madrid.

“I am always fired up for every game and do not think that Real Madrid is any more important than what we played tonight. We needed to win tonight, it is always difficult to play here, Milan lost at this stadium last season, but today we won and we won very well.”

The Portuguese star came on for the final 27 minutes and had two big scoring opportunities, failing to take them, but at least seemed to have a better attitude.

“He came on well, it is important to have this reaction from Rafa and that’s what I want to see. I think he is ready to play in Madrid,” continued the coach.

Fonseca was asked who he thinks will be Milan’s top scorer at the end of the season, because Alvaro Morata works so hard off the ball that he tends to be fairly exhausted by the time it comes to finishing.

“I like that you are talking about Morata. He had opportunities, so I would only perhaps be worried if he didn’t have the chances. I don’t like focusing on individuals, but Morata was magnificent tonight for the way he played for the team. Without a doubt, Morata was my Man of the Match this evening.

“It’s true he had chances and did not score, but the goals will come.”

It was known that this coach had a very attacking style of football, but this also leaves their defence exposed and they risked conceding several chances in the first half against Monza.

“I was above all concerned in the first half, as we weren’t aggressive enough and didn’t win enough individual duels, but I don’t really remember Monza chances in the second half. We adjusted what we needed to during the half-time break and it was a totally different game after that.”