Coach Stefano Pioli presented the next Serie A game that is set to take place tomorrow at the San Siro against Napoli, valid for the 18th matchday.
Here are the gaffer's words:
"We face capable opponents who prepare the matches in a careful way, we will have to be lucid to make the right choices at the right time."
The difficulties of Napoli at the San Siro and Spalletti for Pioli...
"Honestly, I didn't know these statistics... Milan helped me to overcome many steps, maybe they will help me tomorrow too."
On the current form of the team:
"We are having a very good first round, there are still two games left. I would like to overcome last year's 43 points. Tomorrow's opponent has great qualities and has an excellent coach, we certainly need to raise the level of the performance."
There is a possibility of Inter escaping in the rankings...
"I don't think we can talk about escape yet. I don't think championships are won in December. Last year we were in the lead for a long time, then we know how it ended. We have to aim to do better than last year. . The first year we scored 66 points, the second year 79 points and the goal is to do better, especially in the second round."
Pioli discusses Sandro Tonali's profile:
"I am absolutely convinced that he can still grow a lot in terms of the game, both offensive and defensive. We don't have a player who can define us, our core is the team."
Are you worried about the drop of form?
"The last two performances were not optimal, we must try again to put our qualities on the field with strength and conviction."
On the injuries:
"I am optimistic, we are working to find solutions. It has been a difficult month for us, we have tried to increase the work of recovery and prevention, stimulating the players to be more careful and precise about their daily jobs. Playing so often a player loses many games easily."
On the game against Udinese:
"The reaction of the team is what we have always had, throwing ourselves into our work with even more enthusiasm. In these days I have seen things done well. If you talk to me about individuals, except Theo who had some problems, everyone has trained with the right intensity and quality."
Will the winter break be used as a preparation for the second half of the season?
"If we hadn't had all the injuries last year, I think we would have won the Scudetto. In our growth path it is normal to have ups and downs. The break does not allow you to do any other thing other than recovering and preparing for the match against Roma. They will have a few days off after Empoli, then we will prepare the match against Roma and the other commitments in January. I expect to be able to be more like last year's first round and score more points in the second round of the season."
Pioli on Theo Hernandez and Brahim Diaz:
"Theo had problems, a flu syndrome, he never went out on the field. To date, it is more no than a yes for him now... Tomorrow, we talk with the boy and then decide. For Brahim it is possible that the covid has taken something away from him, at the moment it is not a physical problem. He has to find those technical plays he has. It may be that he feels a bit of pressure, this year he is more responsible. They are young guys, they may have difficulties."
On AFCON 2021:
"I am always in favor of the health of my players. The club will make the best choice based on the situation that will arise."
On the Napoli players:
"They have a very dynamic midfield, they have players like Anguissa and Zielinski who sometimes reverse positions. The key is technical quality."
Pioli added:
"We had a few missteps, but I have a conscious group. The goal is to keep growing and we have the support of our fans behind us."
On the Primavera team:
"I follow the Primavera and I often speak with coach Giunti: many players often train with us."
On the team's characteristics:
"We are among the first teams in Italy for high ball recovery and more immediate shots on goal. We know that we take risks but as long as the advantages are higher than the risks we must continue like this."
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