AC Milan won against Sampdoria 1-0 thanks to a goal by Brahim Diaz which was assisted by Davide Calabria. The coach, Stefano Pioli, commented to Sky Sport's microphones with the following words after the match:
"Sampdoria played a good game in the defensive phase and lowering Diaz gave us the opportunity to build well. I liked the performance and the desire to seek the second goal even if we did not manage to find it. We prepared well and I was sure that we would be ready and I knew that we would be facing a difficult team."
On Brahim Diaz:
"I have always counted on Brahim. I have always considered him a quality player and he is a boy who believes a lot in himself. We are a quality group and this can only do well. We can grow further."
On the team's strength:
"It was great to meet the fans again, they welcomed us with enthusiasm. We have to keep this spirit. We know many ways to play but it is the spirit that will make the difference. We are more ready but we must be aware that there are strong teams like Inter and Juventus. We have important players who are currently unavailable like Kessie and Ibra, Then there is new signings like Florenzi and someone else who maybe will come but we will have to maintain this team spirit."
On Krunic, Tonali and Saelemaekers's performances:
"We already built with the top full backs and the midfielders had set-up cover duties. Tonali and Krunic were very good and communicated well. They played a match of quality and quantity. Saelemamekers is a very good player between the lines, and he needs to improve more. He is a player who has grown a lot and can be decisive."
On the transfer market:
"I don't know how things will go in the transfer market window. The management is very active and is ready to seize opportunities. I am very happy with the team I have, I found them wanting to improve, attentive and eager to do well. If a quality player arrives. many better but we are not bound to 4-2-3-1 or other modules, the schemes are fixed on the board then things change on the pitch. I try to make the most of the characteristics of the players I have available."
On Romagnoli:
"It's a pity that he doesn't play often. He's a very good guy and he's training very well and maybe I could even play three in defense."
