Fonseca confirms star duo will return vs. Atalanta and that two issues conditioned subs | OneFootball

Paulo Fonseca offered an update on AC Milan’s injury situation following the win over Sassuolo, with some good news and some bad news.

With an eye on the Atalanta game on Friday and with both Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez out, the Milan head coach made eight changes to the starting line-up from the team that beat Empoli.

The likes of Filippo Terracciano, Davide Calabria, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham got the nod, but Youssouf Fofana, Tijjani Reijnders and Rafael Leao remained in the XI.

In the end Milan ran out convincing 6-1 winners against Sassuolo, and given the game was won at half-time many wanted to see some key men withdrawn earlier and maybe others like Francesco Camarda get a chance.

Fonseca spoke to reporters who were present in the press conference room at San Siro after what was a very convincing win for his side. MilanNews transcribed the questions and his responses.

Another victory for a dominant and worry-free Milan, has anything changed?

“I felt that the team was growing, we improved many things: victories bring more confidence to the players. It is a natural consequence of the work, of what the team learns and also an improvement in attitude.

“It is important to look at the seriousness of the team, which took to the field with intensity. Today it is a mental growth of the team.”

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What can you tell us about the injury situation?

“Theo wasn’t well and I decided not to let him play, Maignan had an operation. They’ll be ready for Atalanta, maybe they’ll train tomorrow.

“With the scoreline I wanted to take Rafa, Fofana and Tijji out but Loftus-Cheek had a small problem with his calf and we decided not to risk it, also because Sportiello had a problem with his knee.

“For this reason after the break it was more difficult to manage the other players who were out. I need to hear from the doctor about Sportiello but for Loftus it won’t be anything problematic.”

Leao’s goal came thanks to the movements of a centre-forward, again…

“All credit to Loftus and Rafa, they understood the moment: Leao understood timing and space well, Ruben made a very nice assist. I’m satisfied that Rafa is back to scoring here at San Siro.”

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Tijjani Reijnders seems a class above right now…

“Now I see him here at Milan to continue doing what he is doing and improving. Tijji is a top-level footballer, he will be able to have a very, very good career. He has time and space to progress.”

Do you believe in the idea of winning the Coppa Italia?

“I believe in it a lot, we won the last one in 2003: I would like to have the chance to go to the final. I think we have a chance to win it: the next one will be here at San Siro and then two games in the semi-final.

“We have the chance like the other teams but it is a competition in which we can do something big.”