Coach Stefano Pioli presented the AC Milan - Torino game to the media, valid for matchday 10 of the Serie A.
"We need to be more attentive and communicate better defensively. In order to win, it is important to concede a few goals."
On the rankings:
"It is too early now. 9 matches are nothing. But it's right that the fans are happy and proud of this team. Now let's think about tomorrow's match and then the next one."
On Ibra and Giroud's performances against Bologna:
"The last two were particular matches. When we need more physicality we have the possibility to put Ibra and Giroud on. Both are not at 100%, the important thing is that they give continuity both in training and in the match."
On what went wrong in the last few games:
"For me we weren't up to it only in the Porto match, we had to do better. In Italy there are strong opponents, as Torino is tomorrow. We work every day to do better and keep growing."
On the relationship between a referee and a coach:
"We must start from the basis that the referees are always in good faith and consequently you must accept this situation. I am interested in seeing harmony in the matches. The rules are there, then each referee has his own way of directing the game, but I am interested in uniformity for the entire 95 minutes of a game."
On Theo Hernandez and Franck Kessié's conditions:
"If Theo trains within the group, he will be there even if not from the start. As for Franck Kessie, he is fine and will be available."
On the calendar:
"The calendar is tight, the competitiveness is high. Torino is strong, Juric is doing a great job. There are many important tests, but it is too early to say that we are at a crossroads. We must try to face every match in the best possible way. Tomorrow, I expect a match in which we will have to fight. We will have to move well without giving reference points."
Pioli continued to talk about Pobega's season so far with Torino:
"Tommaso is doing very well. He has the right characteristics for Juric's game, he is constantly growing. Belotti? I expect a combative and proactive Torino. I don't even know if Belotti will play or not, the attitude with which he will enter the field is not my problem."
Inter, Juventus, Napoli, Atalanta and Roma all dropped points yesterday...
"We are strong and competitive, but yesterday's matches have confirmed to me that we will have to keep the level of our performances high if we want to fight until the end."
On Tatarusanu:
"He is growing." Said coach Pioli, "He has played little but he is making good performances. Mirante is a little behind in condition. Tomorrow, Tatarusanu will play."
Can either of Kessié or Tonali play as attacking midfielders:
"At the beginning of the game, no. It is because we have Krunic and Daniel Maldini who know how to play in that role. It is important to have all 4 midfielders available."
What does Milan need to improve further?
"The next step is to get to the top all the way. We have been at the top for a long time, last year we lost some points. We will need even more continuity and to make less missteps than last season. We must also win the ugly games, the ones which you don't play well in. We have the qualities to get the three points even when we are in difficulty."
On the importance of tomorrow's game:
"Each match is worth three points. When we face the head-to-head matches, we may lose some points. I am convinced that whoever scores the most points against the other teams will win the championship. Tomorrow we will have to be very lucid in our choices."
Will facing Torino be similar to the Porto's fixture?
"Porto did not attack us high, they had a center forward who worked well against our centre-halves. Verona and Torino, who play similar football, do come to press high. We will have to be good at moving and finding the right spaces to do damage."
AC Milan are able to collect many more points in away fixtures
"I think we are the best team in Europe for away points. We always want to play our football. Being able to keep certain numbers away would be a really great thing."
