FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Serie A - Lazio v AC Milan - Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy - August 31, 2024 AC Milan coach Paulo Fonseca with Yunus Musah withREUTERS/Alberto Lingria/File Photo
(Reuters) - AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca said on Friday that after his side's three games without a win, earning a first victory this season against Venezia is just as important as the upcoming games with Liverpool and neighbours Inter Milan.
Fonseca is already under pressure, with Milan having collected only two points from three games, and with their first Champions League match at home to Liverpool on Tuesday followed by the derby clash next weekend, things could get even worse.
For now, though, Fonseca badly needs a win and, with the visit of Venezia to the San Siro the priority, the manager has prepared his 14th-placed team to take on the promoted side who have one point and are second-bottom in the standings.
"They (games) are all important, even more so at this time. I am confident, as always. It's important to win tomorrow, then we'll think about Liverpool," Fonseca told a press conference.
"Milan must always win, not just tomorrow. I looked at Venezia, they are a dangerous team on the counter-attack.
"Against Parma (2-1 defeat) we suffered, but against Lazio (2-2 draw) we improved a lot. The problem was defensive organisation, we worked on it. We know Venezia's strong point and we are prepared."
Milan have conceded six goals in three games, with no other Serie A side allowing more so far this season, and the international break has given Fonseca time to work on their defensive problems.
"We didn't have many players during the break, but we had many defenders. We worked on the behaviour of the defensive line and on individual behaviour," the manager said.
"We have to improve on the many goals conceded, a team that doesn't want to concede goals must keep the ball more. We are working on it, the players understand the importance of keeping the ball and managing the game with the ball."
Fonseca is well aware of the scrutiny he is under after the poor start to the season, but the real pressure comes from the fans who will again be there supporting Milan on Saturday.
"We coaches always are (under scrutiny), we depend on the results. But I'm just focused on my work," Fonseca said.
"After these first three games, having 70,000 supporters is a great declaration of love.
"It's also a big responsibility for us, to keep evolving and make the fans proud of us. That's what we want to do tomorrow, repay the support of our fans."
(Reporting by Trevor Stynes; Editing by Ken Ferris)
