MILAN (ITALPRESS) – “A good time for us to play against Atalanta? It is never a good time to face them, but we are growing, the team is confident. We know that facing Atalanta is always difficult, they are very good, they have won their last 8 games. They are a very strong team, it will be a very difficult match but we are ready and confident.” Paulo Fonseca believes in his Milan team ahead of tomorrow’s big match at Gewiss Stadium. “But the team does not need this match to become aware of what they are doing,” the Portuguese coach makes clear, “It is an important but not decisive match, which can bring many positive things: winning a match like this would bring more confidence for the future. Atalanta will also be a good test for Milan’s defensive tightness, which is also on the rise. “Until 3-4 games ago there was some discouragement but today the team is well defensively and this also brings confidence when there is to attack, to take the initiative,” says Fonseca again. Who has only honeyed words for his orbico colleague. “Gasperini is unique and we have to recognize the great work he is doing. I have great admiration for him, he is a pioneer in the man-to-man game, everyone in Europe is aware that it is difficult to face a team like Atalanta and many follow his model. Working in Italy is very challenging for a foreign coach, winning here is very difficult,” Fonseca continued, “I can 100% assure that facing a team that plays man-to-man is more difficult than facing one that plays zone. In England maybe there is more intensity but in Italy you have to deal with a certain physicality, a certain way of defending, finding spaces is not easy.” Guardiola compared facing Atalanta as going to the dentist. “It’s easy to understand how Atalanta plays, difficult is to counter them but we are prepared to play against them. I don’t know if it’s like going to the dentist but for sure we need a game of sacrifice, commitment, attitude. Would a draw be a good result? I always think about winning, before matches in my head there is only one result.”- photo Ipa Agency -(ITALPRESS).
