Stefano Pioli stands with Gianluca Rocchi

Stefano Pioli’s words on the eve of Milan-Roma

Milan coach Stefano Pioli presented the Sunday post-match against Roma in a press conference. "We have to try to have a very specific goal, which is to improve on the first half of the season – began the coach of the Rossoneri -. This I think would guarantee you third place, if you want to aim for something more you have to really improve a lot".

On José Mourinho and Roma: "Mourinho è a top, è cunning, è cunning and before certain games he always exalts the opponents. They are organized, very good on loose balls, we have to put in a great performance to win".

So he è sided with Gianluca Rocchi: "I completely agree with Rocchi, I respect him a lot. All of us have to tone it down. Comparisons must be respectful and calm. If some of the insiders make mistakes they must be punished even harshly, but on the other side I ask for more uniformity and consistency in refereeing".

Theo Hernandez could return to fullback: " Theo has done very well as a center back and has been effective in both defense and offense. Tomorrow he will see which team to field. Definitely Theo will be" on the field". However, Pioli stressed the'need to buy another central defender: "This track has not been abandoned. The companyà is working to fill this need: surely we still need a defender".