Fonseca: “Okafor plays in Parma. Leao is fundamental for Milan”

Redemption mission for the Milan. The match at the Meazza against Torino resumed by leaps and bounds (from 0-2 to 2-2 in injury time) and the Rossoneri are heading towards Parma where on Saturday (18.30) the newly promoted team of Bee who made his debut with a draw against Fiorentina.

Milan, Fonseca and an unexpected step back. To change skin still needs time, Fofana will be the key man

by Emanuele Gamba

August 18, 2024

Fonseca lancia Okafor

Absent due to a muscle problem Morata (“How much does it come back? It depends on the player’s evolution, he has a small problem. Before Turin he felt something and I didn’t want to risk him from the beginning”) at the Tardini he will play from the 1st minute Okaforwho scored the equaliser against Torino. Fonseca himself announced it: “Okafor will play because we want to have a high pressing that is different from the match against Torino and he gave good responses. He has characteristics that are good for this match. It will be a difficult match and we need a higher pressing capacity” explained the Portuguese coach. “Pavlovic as a starter? It can happen. Camarda, on the other hand, will not come with us. We have to choose the right moment to let him play, the conditions to make him successful and this is not the right moment. Reijnders and Theo Hernandez – Fonseca added – are close to their best physical condition, Emerson and Fofana arrived later. Fofana trained alone for many days. They need more time”.

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Tardini needs another Milan

Fonseca expects a Milan different from the debut: “We have to be a different team than the one we had in the first half against Torino. Milan cannot afford to leave the opponent a build-up phase like the one they gave to the Granata. We have to be consistent, we cannot leave 45 minutes to a team playing at home” the coach thought. “I think it’s time to understand what we need to improve. I expect a difficult match against a very particular team, that runs and fights a lot. Winning in Parma is not just a matter of playing, but also of suffering and fighting. Parma is an aggressive team defensively and on the counterattack, the outside players are dangerous. We must not lose the ball. They are combative, it won’t be easy”.

The importance of Leao

Chapter on the market. Fonseca says that the club “has done a great job with the purchases” but also that “a team like Milan always has opportunities to improve”. As for Lionwho has reportedly entered Barcelona’s sights, the Rossoneri coach says: “I liked what I heard from Furlani. Rafa is fundamental in our team. Leao can play both close to the goal and further away. When the ball is on the opposite side he has to get closer to the goal. I think it’s important for Rafa to understand this. He has the opportunity to improve his numbers”.