Fonseca backs Theo after return to line-up: “It seems to me that he is more motivated” | OneFootball

AC Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca has spoken about Theo Hernandez’s return to the starting line-up, and what he expects from tonight’s opponents.

Milan will be hoping to end the year in the right way as they take on AS Roma in the final game of 2024 at San Siro. They face a team who are in even more of a crisis and are on their third head coach of the season already, but have the stabiliser Claudio Ranieri at the helm.

Paulo Fonseca has named his line-up for the game with two changes from the team that beat Verona before Christmas. Theo Hernandez starts at left-back with Alex Jimenez pushed up to play as a winger, with Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic both injured.

Fonseca spoke to DAZN moments before kick-off, with his comments relayed by MilanNews. He spoke about the win ust over a week ago, and the decision to bring Theo back as captain.

On the last match against Verona…

“We had a lot of the ball but without attacking as much as we should have. We need to improve our final choices. In the non-possession phase the team did well, in general a good defensive match.”

On Roma’s vertical style of play…

“It’s a characteristic of almost all teams like Roma, who play an individual game. Here in Italy you don’t see teams that play a game of patience, of looking for the best moment. They are more vertical teams and for this reason you don’t see possession teams.”

On Theo’s return…

“Theo has always been captain, together with Calabria and Rafa. Calabria doesn’t play, so Theo is the captain. Normal situation, we try to recover the player, to motivate him. We need the best Theo and it seems to me that he is more motivated and ready to help the team.”