Paulo Fonseca urges AC Milan to get back on track against Slovan Bratislava

Under-fire AC Milan coach Paulo Fonseca believes their problems have been overestimated as he seeks to get things back on track by maintaining their Champions League momentum.

Saturday’s goalless draw with Juventus – which even the Portuguese said was one of the most boring games he had seen – left Milan 10 points behind Serie A leaders Napoli and drew criticism.

However, earlier this month the same team beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, their second successive 3-1 result in Europe.

“I respect everyone’s opinions, but saying that Milan is still behind is not entirely right,” said Fonseca after travelling to Slovan Bratislava.

“What the fans think of the game is one thing, our awareness is another.

“On Saturday we also did some very good things. The problem is the size of the things we have here.

“A draw against Juve is seen as a defeat for us, as a victory for the others.

“We could have done much better, it’s true, especially in terms of results.

“But if we look at the growth process then I say that certain criticisms are not right.

“We’ve spoken about the importance of winning tomorrow. We know the importance of having the right attitude and not underestimating this side.

“The team have played well against the big sides and then not as well against the smaller sides. We are working so that we always have the right attitude, and in this sense we are growing.”

England international Tammy Abraham is set to start and is keen to build on his performances, having scored just twice in 11 appearances since arriving from Roma.

“I am happy to be here. We have a good team, this is my time to show everyone what I am really made of,” he told a press conference.