AC Milan Coach Stefano Pioli presented the next game against Sampdoria to the media during his press conference this morning. Here are his words:
"I have highly motivated players. We managed to create a happy environment. Seeing such happy players is very important. Everyone will give their contribution to ensure that the team expresses itself at the highest levels. We have to push hard and all the players are available to try and give this contribution to the team."
On how mature the team is:
"I am convinced that, beyond the results of the others and our match tomorrow, the team is much more aware and mature than one or two years ago. But that's normal. A very young team, it has gained experience and has grown. The boys know that between now and the end of the season every game will have an important specific weight. But what matters is only tomorrow."
On Olivier Giroud and Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
"Now Olivier is well physically and mentally, the important thing is that the team continues to play an attacking game. Zlatan is still working aside, we have to wait a little longer: let's see in the next few days."
On the renewal of Theo Hernandez:
"I think it is a wonderful sign of a club that has a vision for the present and the future. Theo and Milan strongly wanted the renewal of the contract, an important signal for the whole environment. To have players who feel this sense of belonging means that the path can give stability to a club that wants to return to the highest levels."
Pioli on the turning point in the derby:
"There was never pessimism at Milanello, we have always worked with confidence. The strength of a group is to keep doing it when the results don't come, it's easy to do it when you win games. You have to think game by game. We are obviously happy with the last two results but now, only the next match matters."
On home and away games:
"For the way we play, I would expect some more balance. This must motivate us and stimulate us more to improve our home results. We must exploit the energy that our fans give us."
"Filling the area has always been our goal, at times we have succeeded more, at other times less. You have to build well from behind, it is clear that if you spend more time in the opponent's half you have the possibility to have more players enter the area", said Pioli, "We must have a construction that allows us to raise the center of gravity."
On Pierre Kalulu:
"He is a starter, he plays with strength, courage and personality. He surprised me at the beginning, but now he doesn't surprise me anymore. His strength is to face every game with great conviction and confidence. He has physical means and an important reading of the game. For me, he is an absolute starter."
On Ismael Bennacer:
"Ismael did well when he entered against Juventus. He did well in the derby as he had the chance to recover in the break.He is in optimal conditions to do well, he is a player of great intensity and lucidity, for us; he is important."
On Fodé Ballo-Touré:
"Ballo will join the team today, he will do his first training session with us. During the African Cup he had an injury. Yesterday he did a separate working session and had positive results. If today he does all the training he will be available for tomorrow, then we'll see what choices to make from the beginning."
Pioli on Franck Kessié:
"Franck is a starter of Milan, as are Tonali, Bennacer, Krunic and many other players. The other night, against Milinkovic, he played a super game, with Inter I asked him to sacrifice and he did. I am convinced of Franck's moral and technical qualities, he must continue like this."
On Sampdoria with Giampaolo:
"His work is already visible. They have good characteristics and attacking players. Giampaolo will be very motivated, because he is a great coach and wants to improve the luck of a great club like Sampdoria."
Is pressing a good weapon tomorrow?
"If it is done with the right timing, pressing is a weapon we want to do. It is true that tomorrow we could have a chance to improve our standings compared to last season. So there must be a great concentration and will to try to win."
