Milan, Stefano Pioli points to his favorite for the Scudetto
Milan, Stefano Pioli points to his favorite for the Scudetto
Here are some of the statements from the press conference, as always very long, of AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli on the eve of the seventh-day Serie A match against Lazio.
"You canò say that we are well. We want to find continuityà to do well in the league and Champions League. Tomorrow è the most important game. We have always lived with great balance: the derby was not the end of our journey, but a new beginning from which to start again. Now we are not perfect, we are not flawless, but we can put in our best performance tomorrow. Leao? If one misses a pass it is not è that he must have taken the opponent underhandedly… from Rafa I expect him to miss less and less, this sì".
"We are only at the beginning of our climb. I am convinced of the quality and attitudes of my players. What I am seeing è is positive and must be carried forward with generosity, with strength, with attention. After the first stop è another season began, with games every 3 days: to stay on top you have to be strong in head, strong in organization, strong individually".
"In my opinion there are several situations in the game where we are at a good level, others where we can still grow a lot. But è normal: we had a lot of changes. But I insisted with the players: only tomorrow’s game matters. Playing like thisì so much helps in a positive way to throw away the previous game and to think immediately about the next one".
"It’s not the top that matters now, but the desire to do well and to interpret the games well. There are no easy matches and no impossible matches either. I am happy with what the team has done in these two days".
"Yacine (Adli, ed.) had great patience and also great mental strength in playing soì little and maintaining certain types of attitudes. I had told him that we had other intentions for the halfbacks and that the position of halfback remained for him: he worked with great willingness. He needed time to understand a new position and new constructions both in possession and non-possession: on the three-quarter you play in one way, as a halfback in another. We know he cannotò be perfect in that position yet, but with his availability; you canò do a great job. The fact that he believes he can find space è great for someone who plays at this level".
"It didn't take the injury of Kalulu. I have three centerbacks, becauseé Pellegrino is working well but it will take some time. Having three centerbacks it becomes inevitable to decide from game to game".
"Wanting to control games is part of our path, but controlling the competition does not mean slowing down the pace or not being dangerous. The only serious blunder in our first half in Cagliari è was on the goal and we can do other things better as well. Manage sì but we must continue to be dangerous".
"Lazio has been playing together for years with a very good coach and has recognizable lines of play, with great speedà and great qualityà. Beyond their moment – and they are doing well – they are a strong team. They do not defend man on man, but they can be aggressive and direct the game well, so we will have to dribble well. È too early to call it a direct clash, tomorrow one more step towards the'top".
" I when è the schedule came out, I didn't look too far ahead. I thought about preparing every single game. It is useless to talk about criticism: we are Milan, we want to win and be competitive. The club is pursuing a wonderful path, able already to win and put the accounts in order. Then we are Milan: the praise is high and the criticism is high. We have to challenge ourselves every time: we don’t get excited, but we don’t get depressed. There are four teams fighting for the scudetto, with Juventus favored, becauseé not playing the cups dà a few more points.
