AC Milan’s Portuguese head coach Paulo Fonseca looks on during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Parma Calcio 1913 and AC Milan at the Ennio Tardini Stadium in Parma on August 24, 2024. (Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP) (Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI /AFP via Getty Images)

Milan coach Paulo Fonseca admitted he was somewhat frustrated by Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso and his comments about the Rossoneri during the Champions League press conferences ahead of the two teams’ meeting at the BayArena on Tuesday.

Milan are in Germany ahead of their second Champions League game of the season, away at the BayArena in Leverkusen.

Why Alonso Fonseca frustrated with Milan comments

Both Alonso and Leverkusen vice-captain Jonathan Tah spoke about Italian teams and their tendency to be strong defensive units.

“They are ready to defend deep,” Alonso said, while Tah added: “Italian teams are difficult opponents for many teams. They have a special style of play and defend very well, we have to be very patient.”

However, Fonseca did not agree with this opinion and instead wants Milan to create its own identity and move away from the stereotypes about Italian teams and their penchant for defense.

“Today I read what Xabi Alonso said. When we talk about Italian teams, we always say the same thing: Italian teams are good at defense and counterattacking.

“I want different things to be discussed when we talk about Milan. We have to work on it because we don’t want to be viewed like that,” Fonseca said during his press conference on Monday evening.

“Tomorrow we obviously have to defend because we are playing against a strong team, but when we have the ball we still want to play. I am excited to see the team’s performance in a game that will be different to the games we have had in Serie A.”

Despite his frustration, Fonseca recently spoke at length about the need for Milan to improve the defensive elements of the game, while Rafael Leao revealed that the coach is working particularly hard with him to improve his play outside of possession.

Click here to read what Leao said about Fonseca’s defensive training

Fonseca explains Milan’s rotating captains, defensive improvement and Alonso’s frustration