Paulo Fonseca is expressing strong confidence in Strahinja Pavlovic, the Serbian defender who has just joined AC Milan, and is ready to make an impact on the team. He describes Pavlovic as aggressive, left-footed, and physically strong, which aligns perfectly with the club’s needs. After the match against Real Madrid in Chicago, Fonseca noted that while some players have been training with the team from the start in the U.S., Pavlovic is expected to quickly adapt to the team’s style of play.
Fikayo Tomori also chimed in, acknowledging Pavlovic’s talents and emphasizing the importance of team structure over individual positions. The mood in Chicago is optimistic, especially after Milan secured a win against both Manchester City and Real Madrid under Fonseca’s guidance. The coach expressed his satisfaction with the players’ courage and noted that while winning is essential, it’s not everything—the belief in the process is crucial for the team’s development.
Fonseca highlighted that there is still a lot of room for improvement despite the positive start to their training. The first three weeks have been encouraging, with the players showing an open-mindedness to learn, and he believes that games against top teams like City and Real will only boost their confidence.
Milan’s tactical approach appears to be clear: the team focuses on ball possession, drawing pressure from opponents, and creating triangles on the flanks. The integration of new players will bring further changes, with Theo Hernandez expected to add to the left side’s attacking dynamic. The arrival of Álvaro Morata will also lead to different tactical choices, while Reijnders is anticipated to be a key player in the midfield.
Fonseca shared his thoughts on newcomers Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah, praising Pulisic’s incredible quality and calling him vital for the season ahead. He is equally optimistic about Musah, believing he will become a significant asset, although he still needs to adjust to his role, which is expected to be as a holding midfielder.
The performance of young talents such as Mattia Liberali and Samuel Chukwueze has also caught Fonseca’s attention. Liberali, a promising trequartista, showcased his skills with an assist in the match against Real, but Fonseca is still considering the best path forward for him to maximize his potential. Meanwhile, he expressed delight in Chukwueze’s progress, noting that the winger, who struggled for playing time last season, has been eager to impress and is expected to make a significant contribution to the squad.
As the team builds on these early successes, it is clear that the foundation for the season is being laid, and both Fonseca and the players are excited about what lies ahead for AC Milan.