Tomorrow, AC Milan will face Atlético Madrid in the Champions League, a game valid for the second matchday of the group stage. Coach Stefano Pioli talked to the media in the press conference ahead of this clash:
"I don't think Atletico are in a bad moment, until Saturday they were unbeaten. They are strong and solid, with a trained coach and experienced players and ready to punish you at the slightest mistake. We will have to be focused for the whole 95 minutes. The level of the Champions League is very high and in these matches the details make the difference. In Liverpool, we made mistakes and the opponents punished us, tomorrow we must not make mistakes. Our entire level must rise."
On coaching this current young squad:
"We are having our experiences, we have been very good at exploiting every situation to do something better. Being a young team gives many advantages and where we cannot get to with experience, we have to get there with enthusiasm."
On the first Champions League game against Liverpool
"The Liverpool experience must help us to be even more ready, to be at the level of a match like tomorrow's."
Pioli discussed Giroud's condition:
"Olivier Giroud lost two weeks of preparation and therefore of pace, in La Spezia his minutes were useful to improve his condition and he will improve in the next matches."
How will we find AC Milan tomorrow?
"Tomorrow evening we will not lack desire and enthusiasm, also because we will return to play in the Champions League in front of our fans. It will be an important game but not decisive yet. We certainly want to remove the zero from the group table."
On Theo Hernandez:
"Hernandez is growing a lot also defensively. On Saturday against Spezia, he did well especially in the coverage phase. His offensive qualities are known to everyone, now he is also finding new solutions and therefore he is reaching a very high level."
On Simon Kjaer and Alessandro Florenzi:
" The training sessions today and tomorrow will be very important for Simon Kjaer and Alessandro Florenzi. I hope they will be available. For the others we will have to wait after the break."
Pioli discussed his relationship and work with the players:
"The relationship I have created with clubs and players does not have a deadline. We have the same motivations and ambitions. We want to get the most out of every season. I don't think about the future now."
