Fonseca treating Venezia as tough test for Milan
After three games without a win with AC Milan, Paulo Fonseca's main focus is getting a first victory of the season against Venezia this weekend, without looking ahead to other big matches.
Fonseca is already under pressure, with Milan having collected only two points from three games, and with its first UEFA Champions League match at home to Liverpool on Wednesday (AEST) followed by a derby clash with Inter Milan in Serie A next weekend, things could get even worse.
For now, though, the 51-year-old badly needs a win and, with the visit of Venezia to San Siro the priority, Fonseca has prepared his 14th-placed team to take on the promoted side, which has one point and is second-bottom in the standings.
"They [games] are all important, even more so at this time. I am confident, as always. It's important to win on Saturday, then we'll think about Liverpool," Fonseca said.
"Milan must always win, not just on Saturday [Sunday AEST]. I looked at Venezia. It is a dangerous team on the counter-attack.
"Against Parma [2-1 defeat] we suffered, but against Lazio [2-2 draw] we improved a lot. The problem was defensive organisation. We worked on it. We know Venezia's strong point, and we are prepared."
Milan has conceded six goals in three games, with no other Serie A side allowing more so far this season, and the international break has given Fonseca time to work on its defensive problems.
"We didn't have many players during the break, but we had many defenders. We worked on the behaviour of the defensive line and on individual behaviour," he added.
"We have to improve on the many goals conceded. A team that doesn't want to concede goals must keep the ball more. We are working on it.
"The players understand the importance of keeping the ball and managing the game with the ball."
Fonseca is well aware of the scrutiny he is under after the poor start to the season, but the real pressure comes from the fans, who will again be there supporting Milan on Sunday (AEST).
"We coaches always are [under scrutiny], we depend on the results. But I'm just focused on my work," Fonseca said.
"After these first three games, having 70,000 supporters is a great declaration of love.
"It's also a big responsibility for us, to keep evolving and make the fans proud of us. That's what we want to do tomorrow, repay the support of our fans."
