In conference: «We have never had the strongest team. It was a mistake not to underline the progress in the Champions League last year”
Db Milan 10/22/2023 – Serie A football championship / Milan-Juventus / photo Daniele Buffa/Image Sport in the photo: Stefano Pioli
Stefano Pioli, Milan coach, in a press conference before the match against Juventus, valid for the 34th matchday of Serie A, returns to the derby lost and the Scudetto won by Inter. The words of the Rossoneri coach reported by TMW.
Pioli: «It was a strong pain to see the opponents celebrate»
In the important period of April there is also the match against Juve…
«It absolutely must be like this, also unfortunately due to the latest negative results. The focus must be on finishing second. It’s been a difficult 10 days».
What days were they?
«It’s easy, in quotes, because we can’t stop at these disappointments that we have suffered and that we have given to these fans, so we necessarily have to have the desire, the redemption, to remain compact and the desire to win matches until the championship. We suffer from these situations, but we have a duty to get back up».
What is needed tomorrow according to Pioli?
«We will have to fight, give our best, as if it were the last match: be focused, determined. We want to defend second place».
Is Inter stronger?
«That we gave everything, yes, but we weren’t always able to put our qualities into play. Inter have had the strongest team in the championship for four years and have only won two championships. We never had it, we won a championship, but we gave everything, even though we weren’t able to raise our level of play».
What’s the point of these last games?
«We want to demonstrate who we are, that we are Milan».
How does Pioli judge these 5 years, positive or negative?
«There has been no middle ground in these 5 years, either positive or negative. If I could change the outcome of the derbies I would give everything I have, but it can’t be done anymore. I for one must have broad shoulders. It was painful to see the opponents celebrate».
Who will be captain tomorrow?
«Tomorrow Leao will be captain».
Is there a lack of balance?
«We are waiting for the end of the championship».
What was Milan’s weak point?
«The most obvious thing was the exit from the Europa League, then that month in which we broke away from Inter. Inter are stronger, they have been more continuous, more solid. However, we weren’t the only ones who couldn’t keep up».
What is Ibra giving you?
«Zlatan was here yesterday and the day before yesterday, he is always close to us, giving us support to overcome the negative moment. We are together and together we try to overcome the difficult moment».
Is Milan ready to manage the aftermath of the storm?
«It has to, if you want to be at a high level you have to».
Why didn’t he come to the conference on Monday? Pioli’s response:
«I didn’t want to not give the conference, but it was the company’s choice. I have always assumed my responsibilities, otherwise I would remain in press silence until the end of the season».
What was your priority before the derby?
«The priority was to try to be compact in the defensive phase, so the choices were oriented there. The plan worked up to a certain point, then when you concede a goal from a corner you put them in a position to do well what they do well».
What are Okafor and Chukwueze missing to be starters?
«Okafor and Chukwueze are fine, then it’s up to me to make the choices».
What role does Ibra have?
«I believe these are choices that the club will have to make. Regarding Ibra’s charisma and technical and human qualities, I certainly shouldn’t be his sponsor. I don’t know what role Ibra will have, but Ibra loves Milan and will make the best decisions for the Club».
Why does Adli start in the derby?
«In my opinion, Bennacer is not in 100% physical condition, Adli is the most reliable in the defensive phase».
Inzaghi complimented Milan by saying that they will be very valid opponents next year too: can this be the case?
«It’s a credit to Inzaghi, even if it’s easier to give compliments when you win. Last year Inter took a lot of points from Napoli, then the seasons were reset and this year Inter won the Scudetto. Things change».
What was missing?
«The opponents were very good at exploiting our first mistake».
Given that Inter are ahead, are Milan being diminished?
«I think it was a mistake not to highlight our progress in the Champions League last year, I don’t know what caused it… But there’s no point in hiding it: the fact that it was Inter who won the Scudetto and eliminated us is all that the team does difference in our environment. When Juve won and Milan finished fifth-sixth everything was ok, now that Inter are there everything is highlighted more».
What does Juventus fear?
«Solid team, which can play the game at any time with the strong attackers it has and the inactive balls».
Will he have turnover?
“THEAt the moment I’m not thinking about letting people play next year, unless second place is assured in the next few days.».
How will he motivate the team?
«It’s simple: it’s up to us to show that we can finish the season well. If we think of facing the next matches without motivation it would be a serious mistake: I know my players and I know they won’t make it».
Napolista ilnapolista © all rights reserved
