AC Milan coach Paulo Fonseca said on Monday that his team must have a perfect defense when they host Premier League club Liverpool at the San Siro in their Champions League opener.
Seven-time European champions Milan lie ninth in Serie A after winning just one of their opening four games and host Liverpool in northern Italy on Tuesday.
Liverpool, which had won its first three Premier League games under new coach Arne Slot convincingly and without conceding a goal, suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday and is now in fourth place in the English top flight.
“I think Liverpool is one of the strongest teams in Europe. They have a good game and strong individual players. We have to be perfect in defence, we can’t make any mistakes,” Fonseca said at a press conference.
“I see it as an opportunity to show our progress. It will push us to do different things… but also to prove our worth.”
“I’m sure it will be like that. The support of our fans is always important to us. Tomorrow it will be the same. We want to feel their love.”
On Sunday, Milan will play against rivals Inter Milan in Serie A and the Portuguese coach was tight-lipped about possible changes to the squad.
Milan have already suffered a setback, with defensive midfielder Ismaël Bennacer having to undergo surgery on his right calf. The 26-year-old Algerian international’s recovery time is estimated at four months.
“We have a lot of games and I have to think about all of them. Tomorrow is definitely the most important because it is the next game, but I must not forget that Sunday is the derby,” said Fonseca.
Milan’s new signing Álvaro Morata said he expects a tough test against Liverpool.
The 31-year-old Spanish striker has scored one goal in two appearances for Milan since joining from LaLiga club Atlético Madrid on a four-year contract in July.
“It will be a big challenge, we have so many different players and so many mechanisms to fix, only time will tell,” said Morata.
“Ever since you arrive at a club like this, you dream of playing in the Champions League with Liverpool. It could even be a semi-final. It’s strange that we’re playing right now. The longing is so great. These are the games that make sports history.”
