Milan's Paulo Fonseca Praises Team's Performance Despite Champions League Loss To Bayer Leverkusen

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Milan's recent Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen ended in a 1-0 defeat, but Paulo Fonseca praised it as their best performance this season. Despite the loss, Milan showed improvement, especially in the second half. They have now lost both matches in the competition and remain winless in their last six encounters with German teams since beating Bayern Munich in 2007.

Milan struggled initially, managing only one shot and a low expected goals (xG) of 0.04 in the first half. Victor Boniface scored early in the second half for Leverkusen. However, Milan responded strongly, hitting the woodwork and forcing a smart save from Lukas Hradecky to deny Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Fonseca expressed satisfaction with his team's courage and form despite the result.

Fonseca told Sky Sport, "We didn't win, but it's the game I've liked the most since I arrived here." He highlighted their fantastic play against a strong team like Leverkusen and acknowledged their struggles on the wings during the first half. The coach remained optimistic about their evident growth.

In the final moments of the game, Piero Hincapie's challenge on Loftus-Cheek at the edge of the area sparked controversy. Fonseca believed it should have been a penalty, stating, "For me it's a penalty, it's an intervention on the line." He was puzzled by the lack of review but refrained from criticising referees.

Speaking to Milan TV, Fonseca felt his team deserved more from the match. "I honestly think the result is not fair," he said. He noted their numerous clear chances in the second half and emphasised their visible progress. This improvement gives them hope for future matches as they continue to build on their growth.

Despite disappointment with results, Milan's performance against Leverkusen showed promise. Their resilience and determination were evident throughout the match. As they move forward in this competition, they aim to capitalise on these positive aspects and secure better outcomes in upcoming games.