Today Mister Pioli spoke at Milanello: he is focused on the championship match, but it is inevitable to also address other topics.
The Milan wants to end the season in second place in the Serie A standings and aims to win tomorrow night at San Siro. He hasn’t won for over a month and will be facing a Cagliari hungry for points, given that salvation is at stake. A commitment that should not be underestimated, even though it is absolutely within the team’s reach.
The approach to the match was fundamental, which on several occasions was not the best. Against a Genoa already safe, the Rossoneri started badly in both the first and second half. In the end they drew 3-3, disappointing the fans who were expecting a better reaction after the recent disappointments suffered. We’ll see if on Saturday evening they manage to gain 3 points which would also allow them to obtain mathematical qualification for the next Final Four Italian Super Cup.
Pioli, the conference before Milan-Cagliari
As usual, Stefano Pioli spoke at a press conference in Milanello. Below are all the coach’s statements on the various topics addressed.
RETURN TO VICTORY – “We have to want it, for many reasons. We haven’t won for a long time, second place is an important objective, we are professionals, we must also do it out of pride and respect for the club and the fans.”
LAST PERIOD AT MILAN – “Nothing bothers me, not even talking about the future or other situations. It would only bother me if the team didn’t have the right motivation and energy to finish the championship well. This is the only thing that interests and worries me. How I am doesn’t matter, I’m focused on the last games and at the end of the season I will meet the club to decide our future. My role also includes acting as a lightning rod to protect the team and the club, it’s not a problem for me.”
PHYSICAL CONDITIONS – “The team is doing well, it’s clear that we are at the end of a challenging season and some may have more energy and others less. I will choose who is better to play a match of quality, attention and concentration.”
CAGLIARI – “Ranieri is a great coach, I had him as a player. I had three teachers: Trapattoni, Bagnoli and Claudio. He is a top, he has done well wherever he has gone. Tomorrow’s match is important for them, but also for us.”
FANS STRIKE, WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE – “The club has shown that it knows how to work and that it can be ambitious, it will give the right answers at the right time.”
MALDINI’S INTERVIEW – “I must not comment on Paolo’s words. The merits and demerits of a season must be shared between the coach, the club and the players.”
LEAO SMILING AGAIN – “To be smiling he wants to play well, score goals and help the team.”
PHYSICAL PRESERVATION FOR THE EUROPEAN – “No, I told the players that they know where my office is and anyone who feels they have already given everything or in any case is tired can come and let me know. Nobody showed up. I will put the best training possible in place.”
HE SAID THAT MILAN WAS NOT FAR FROM CITY AND REAL – “I was also made fun of when I said that Atalanta were one of the favorites in the Europa League. I was referring to the fact that a year ago we reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, being eliminated by Inter had diminished the importance of having reached this goal. This year we have shown that we are far from Real Madrid and Manchester City, but I think Milan are a good team. Instead we are not far from Atalanta, Roma and Bayer Leverkusen. The regret is represented by the two matches against Roma.”
DE KETELAERE – “I think there are mainly two reasons for his growth: last year he was in his first season in a new championship and suffered from the novelty, this year he had superior experience and in a role that was probably more suited to his characteristics. I didn’t think about changing his role because we had other projects.”
MORE SPACE FOR KALULU AND POBEGA – “I put the team on the field that can guarantee the result, all the coaches do it”.
DEFENSIVE OR OFFENSIVE TEAM – “The coach gives game principles and concepts, then there are the characteristics of the players and the application of those ideas. We have never been defensive, we accepted risks to score one more goal than our opponents.”
BORUSSIA DORMUND IN THE FINAL – “European competitions are difficult to predict. Being at the top in the single match and in the double match makes the difference. I think they are fifth, 20 points behind Bayer Leverkusen, they had a difficult year in the league but they managed to perform in Europe.”
BENNACER AND KALULU – “They are fine. Isma has found more continuity and rhythm. Pierre can’t be 100%, but he is ready to play.”
DEFENSIVE PHASE – “For the shots we conceded we conceded too many goals“
