Manager Paulo Fonseca of AC Milan stated on Monday that his team’s defence must be flawless when they play Premier League team Liverpool at San Siro in their Champions League opening match.
After winning just one of their last four games, the seven-time European champion Milan are currently ranked ninth in Serie A.
They will host Liverpool on Tuesday. Nottingham Forest stunned Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield on Saturday to move up to fourth place in the English premier league.
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Liverpool had won their first three Premier League games under new coach Arne Slot without allowing a goal.
“I think Liverpool is one of the strongest teams in Europe.
“They have a good game and strong individuals.
” We have to be perfect defensively, you cannot make mistakes,” Fonseca told reporters.
“I see it as an opportunity to show our progress. It will lead us to do different things… but also to prove our worth.
“I am sure it will, the support of our fans is always important for us. Tomorrow it will be like that, we want to feel their love.”
On Sunday, Milan takes on rivals Inter Milan in Serie A, and the Portuguese player stayed silent regarding any possible roster changes.
Ismael Bennacer, a defensive midfielder for Milan, is currently having surgery on his right calf, which is a blow.
The projected recovery time for the 26-year-old Algerian international is four months.
“We have many games and I have to think about all of them.
“Tomorrow is definitely the most important because it’s the next one, but I can’t forget that on Sunday there’s the derby,” Fonseca said.
Milan’s new signing, Alvaro Morata, expected a stiff test against Liverpool.
The 31-year-old Spanish striker has scored once in two appearances for Milan since joining from LaLiga club Atletico Madrid on a four-year contract in July.
“It will be a great challenge, we have so many different players and we have to fix so many mechanisms, only time will tell,” Morata said.
“Ever since you arrive at a club like this you dream of playing with Liverpool in the Champions League, it could even be a semi-final, it’s strange that we play right away.
“There is so much desire. These are the games that make sporting history.”