Matchday 14 is approaching, AC Milan faces Sassuolo at the San Siro tomorrow afternoon as the Rossoneri look to build on the momentum they gained after winning in the Champions League agains Atlético Madrid.
Coach Stefano Pioli presented the game to the media during today's press conference and said these following words:
"Messias? He is showing his qualities every day. He is not a fairy tale, he is here because he has the qualities to be with us. He had a hard time with injuries at the beginning, but he's fine now."
On the analysis of the games and preparations:
"Today, I had the team review the goal scored in Madrid: the very important thing is to know how to manage simple balls and fill the empty area. Messias did everything with great intensity."
On Mike Maignan:
"Maignan is fine, he has worked for a week. He will play tomorrow. I must say that Tatarusanu has done his duty and I am very happy. From tomorrow, however, Mike will be back."
On Fikayo Tomori:
"Tomori is better, but he will not be called up for tomorrow. He should return on Wednesday against Genoa."
On Rafael Leao:
"Leao is fine... He did not 100% recover from the cramps after the Fiorentina match but he is available to play tomorrow", declared Pioli
On the Serie A path so far:
"The medium-sized teams after a great match are satisfied and face the next challenge with superficiality: the big ones, on the other hand, exploit it. Tomorrow we have an opportunity to get back to doing things well in the league too."
On the club's plans:
"We have the same ambitions: to continue to grow and improve on this path. Bring Milan back to where it belongs, both in Italy and in Europe. We will be more and more motivated to improve the team. The team has always shown great balance. We know about Florence's mistakes, while on Wednesday we played well above all because we didn't miss simple balls. Easy plays must be done effectively."
Pioli on the calendar:
"We have 5 close matches, in the roles where we are struggling with numbers, I will have to manage the minutes played by the players. Those who entered the game on Wednesday did very well: the qualities are there."
On Sassuolo:
"Sassuolo has always created difficulties for us. They are fast and they have quality. We will have to put in a big level performance."
On Pietro Pellegri:
"I'm sure he will be ready, physically he is fine at the moment. He is intelligent and can understand that his time will come."
On Tiémoué Bakayoko's level:
"Bakayoko is better. He arrived in a less than optimal condition, but he is fine now. He is a strong player, with personality. In the midfield I can choose easily, I have players of great levels."
About Ante Rebic's condition:
"I don't know the recovery times yet. As the exams go on we have a more precise idea. Important player, but we also have other players", Pioli told the media, "Krunic, Leao, Saelemaekers have different characteristics, balance is important."
The Italian continued:
"So far we have laid the foundations, now we have to try to raise our level. What I like is the harmony in the environment, this allows us to give our best. We need great attention, passion and we must be careful in what we do."
On new younger coaches, like Dionisi of Sassuolo...
"They have clear ideas and they have already won in the minor leagues: if you win you have values. Young people are always there pushing as one must remain attached to the desire to improve and have curiosity, there is always a way to improve."
On Alexis Saelemaekers:
"Having very flexible players gives us many solutions. The 5 changes in a game are changing the interpretation of the games. Now you don't need only plan A but also plan B and plan C. Now you can change characteristics, positions to put opponents in difficulty. This new structure is an important factor."
Is this team able to win the Scudetto?
"This is why we are trying to raise our level of mentality and quality. On Wednesday we demonstrated that we have excellent tactical, mental and technical qualities. We had a very high mental intensity against an opponent who makes this thing his strong point. In my head there is the dream of winning because we are at Milan and Milan is Milan", said Pioli.
How will you try to beat Sassuolo:
"By trying to be a compact, fast and precise team from a technical point of view. Duels? Whoever wins the most duels in the end has the best chance of winning the match. Attention and intensity make the difference."
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