The Rossoneri coach, Stefano Pioli, presents the fixture of AS Roma - AC Milan to the media during the pre-match press conference as he discusses the squad news and more.
"Roma are one of the few undefeated teams at home and Napoli managed to get a draw against them. Roma are a strong and quality team. It will be an important match. All matches are exams for us. We are preparing to overcome a difficult one, we believe we are ready. In the offensive department, Roma is second to none for quality."
On Brahim Diaz:
"Brahim Diaz is definitely better. He has worked for almost a complete week now. We'll see if he will be a starter tomorrow. Brahim is a quality player, but we also have characteristics when he's not there."
On the attack:
"Both Zlatan and Olivier are better. They are training continuously, their conditions are better, not yet optimal for both. One will start from the beginning, the other will take over later during the match."
On Kjaer's words recently after the renewal:
"He said that to have big dreams you have to be very hungry. We have to put our full potential into play and try to win all challenges."
On the 'ugly' wins:
"I don't think we played badly against Torino. The opponents change, they didn't allow us to dribble. We prepare the matches to try to make them ours, but let's not forget that there are opponents who are ready and strong. The important thing is to have an idea, an identity, an approach to the game and to insist on our way of playing for 95 minutes."
On Rebic:
"We work day by day to find out when will he be available. He still has pain in his ankle, he won't be there with us tomorrow."
Pioli on Leonardo's words regarding Kessié and Theo Hernandez:
"It is not for me to comment on his words. What interests me is to see the players being attentive and available. We are used to isolating ourselves and focusing on our situations."
On facing AS Roma:
"I am aware that it will be a different match. We did well to face Torino based on their qualities. Tomorrow we will have to interpret it well, especially from a technical point of view."
On the work on set-pieces:
"Dead balls are always important situations to prepare", said coach Pioli, "They have two shooters like Pellegrini and Veretout, as well as excellent jumpers. I also take these things into consideration for my choices."
The Italian tactician said the following:
"We are not interested in knowing what we have done to get to today. We are interested in knowing what we will have to do from now on. I have a team that is very eager and hungry to win something."
On Rafael Leao:
"Leao is fine. He has a way of playing where he dribbles constantly, so he is a player who consumes a lot. He is fine with his head and when he is, he also goes beyond some physical problems. He is proving to have a great attitude."
On Theo Hernandez:
"Theo played against Torino for a while and trained well. He will start starting, even if Ballo-Toure has recovered. We will have to be very careful and good at assessing the conditions of these players."
On the conditions of Messias and Florenzi:
"Messias and Florenzi should be back in the group in the next few days, I don't know if even for Wednesday or just for the derby."
On José Mourinho, AS Roma's coach:
"Roma are a strong team. If Mourinho continues to always choose the same players, it means that performance is important. Mourinho is a great manager, he has won everywhere. I think he is very good at giving an identity to the team both tactically and mentally."
Pioli on his own experience at Milan:
"My experience at Milan is at the beginning. There are many stages to overcome, it is a path yet to be developed. It will depend on where we arrive. I would like my players to think that I am the right manager for them."
On Fikayo Tomori:
"Fikayo has important characteristics for our way of defending. He has a continuity and an impressive attitude. He's fine, he always gives his best."
On the difference between today's Roma and the previous Giallorossi team Milan faced:
"The way of playing and the defensive attitude is different for AS Roma. The best thing about my job is preparing matches. It won't be Mourinho-Pioli, it will be Roma-Milan."
