FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Serie A - AC Milan v Torino - San Siro, Milan, Italy - August 17, 2024 AC Milan coach Paulo Fonseca applauds their fans after the match REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo/File Photo
(Reuters) - AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca said he had confidence in his team ahead of the derby at Inter Milan on Sunday, despite acknowledging that his squad needed more time to develop into a formidable unit.
The Portuguese coach is under mounting pressure following a disappointing start to the season. A 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday has compounded the scrutiny, putting Fonseca's position in jeopardy.
In Serie A, Milan have garnered five points from four matches, scoring nine goals but conceding six, with defending champions Inter having eight points ahead of the Derby della Madonnina.
"There's frustration at the moment but there is also the conviction of wanting to get out of this situation. I have confidence in the team," Fonseca told reporters on Saturday.
"In the past few days, they've worked fantastically. Strong players arrived during the transfer window and we have leaders here but we're still not a strong side.
"We need time but I'm not looking for excuses."
Fonseca praised Liverpool's resilience in their recent match, noting their ability to dominate despite conceding an early goal.
"Liverpool is a good example of a team. They conceded after three minutes but they didn’t change,” he said.
"What I want is to see my players have the same confidence. Nothing must change if we make a mistake or we concede a goal.
"This is the self-confidence I want to see in my players. They can do the same and Liverpool are a great example of that."
Milan enter the derby with a poor record, having lost their last six matches against Inter.
"For us, it's an important and difficult match. We'll be up against a very good side but we need to think positively; a win would be worth a lot," Fonseca said.
"We've prepared for the match based on our opponents, who are strong, but we want to play according to our principles. We'll need to mark better and score more than them," he said.
(Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; editing by Clare Fallon)
