Stefano Pioli presented the coming derby game against Inter. He had a lot to say to the media during his press conference. Here are his words:
"Injuries? As far as I'm concerned there are no good or bad pre-games, there are weeks of work. We had the time to prepare. Neither Zlatan nor Ante will be available. Tomori has done a great job, he will be available but not from the start, I believe."
On the form of AC Milan and Inter:
"Inter are making a very important journey certainly. On the other hand, it is true that we had a decline. I know that I have a strong team at my disposal and I know we can still do very well."
On the preparation:
"We are fighting for the very high ranking, then whether it is Champions or something else means that we are still competitive. Against Juve we had an excellent game, we lacked a bit of quality in the last meters which is what we need to find tomorrow. Tomorrow weighs a lot, we want to try to win this important match."
On his tactical choices:
"We must also take into consideration the characteristics of the opponents, it is important. We will never distort our way of playing, it will be the same tomorrow."
Are Inter the favourites?
"They are very strong, they won the championship last year. The way the two teams play will create so many duels, whoever wins the most will have more chance to win. We will have to be hungrier than them."
Do you expect more from Theo Hernandez in big games?
"He has grown in terms of maturity. This is normal in a path of a young player. His last games, defensively, have been great. He can aim for the maximum and can be decisive. He has the ability to highlight his qualities tomorrow."
Stefano Pioli discusses the January's transfer market window:
"I am positive and confident, I know the qualities of my players. They must feel strong. We had a shared choice in the market. the situation has not been created to take a player who could improve our level and then we have decided to bet on our players. Those who believe in their goals must always give their all... I'm sure we are a competitive team and we want to stay in the top positions of the championship."
On the first derby without Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
"A very important match, but we have experienced many others like the last one in Bergamo, the one in Turin against Juve. I'm missing Zlatan. We have grown a lot with Zlatan and now we have to show that we are strong even without him. We must have that willpower especially in the delicate moments of our seasons."
On Marko Lazetic:
"He is available and willing. It seems to me that he already has a strong character and with the aim of becoming a great player. He has great physical means combined with excellent technique. Tomorrow he will be with us and he will begin to understand what Italian football is and what it means to be at Milan."
On Franck Kessié:
"He's fine, he was late on Monday evening. He's fine, I saw him in excellent physical and mental conditions. I expect a solid performance from him. He's a strong player."
Will Juventus return to fight for the Scudetto after their transfer market?
"Juve have always been in this fight. They took a very strong center forward, then the field will give the results. The championship is very balanced, it's similar to last year. We have the same points as last year. our goal is to improve last year's score. year. We have the same points as last year. our goal is to improve last year's score. We have to push hard starting tomorrow."
On Rafael Leao:
"You must always expect a lot from Leao. He must be even more convinced of how strong he is. He is growing a lot, he is working hard and now the time has rightly come to prove it", said Pioli.
On Olivier Giroud and Ante Rebic:
"Giroud is a complete and intelligent player. He knows how to connect the game and fill the area well. It is a situation that we will try to have. Rebic? Unfortunately he is at the end of last week had a trauma to his ankle and he is not healed yet. We hope to recover him soon because he is an important player. "
On Fikayo Tomori:
"The operation went well, the knee never swelled, it is thanks to him that he worked so hard to immediately regain muscle tone."
On Brahim Diaz:
"He is fine, he has found a better condition than a couple of months ago."
On resuming games after the break:
"We have no secrets, we try to plan the stops according to how the team and the individual players are, trying to intervene on the condition of the individuals. The team is doing well and has worked well."
Pioli on a promise to his wife if he wins the derby...
"For a game like this... I might have something in mind. I would tell you only later (laughs)."
He added:
"Our goal is clear, to score many points from here to the end. The more difficulties there are, the more there is the opportunity to show who you are. We know the opponents well, all the matches are prepared with great attention to all the details. We have our strategy which we hope will give us the right advantages."
Are you 'on fire' for this derby?
"I must be", concluded Stefano Pioli his interview.
