The AC Milan coach, Stefano Pioli, is making sure that his team stays focused and motivated for the game against Empoli at the San Siro. It will not be easy fixture and that is why the Rossoneri tactician expects a lot of hard work to be done by his players.
The former Inter and Fiorentina manager presented the game which will be played tomorrow to the media and he started by saying the following words:
"The presence of many fans at the San Siro tomorrow? I think the best satisfaction we can have is to see them happy. It's clear that their passion and enthusiasm can do us a lot of good."
On the win against Napoli:
"We are satisfied with the performance (against Napoli). But, we did not take the last step yet. We must be attached to the present. The past will not help us. I have seen a concentrated team."
On the struggle of collecting more points against the 'smaller teams':
"We must not become obsessed with our past, but think that every game is different from the others. We must play with continuity, quality and rhythm to bring out our characteristics."
Pioli commented on Inter's exit from the Champions League and the Scudetto race:
"The week was characterised by our work and not by the other matches. It is a close race so we must concentrate on our next fixture and give our best."
On Juventus:
"Afraid of Juventus? I'm afraid of Empoli tomorrow. I watched the first leg game, and they could be able to put us in difficulty."
On the expectations for the last games:
"Difficult to make predictions, it was a particular championship: no one was able to stretch. I still think that the top 5 are very strong teams that could make a streak of consecutive victories, the Italian championship is very difficult", he said.
He continued:
"If it's important to win no matter how we perform? Yes. But, I believe that playing well helps you win. All championships are fought for and won even by some 'ugly games': matches where you suffer and fight. We will have to be humble and believe in our qualities."
Is it a burden to try and stay first?
"I see a determined team, convinced and with the necessary serenity to face this championship final. We will be able to face the matches with the right concentration and determination."
A comment on the Real Madrid victory vs PSG:
"It was a match between great players. It's a demonstration where you know that there are challenges within the challenge between the two teams. The teams that manage to live them with more determination and attention have more chances of winning."
Pioli on the physical work:
"When we had the period that we played a lot, you spent the week just recovering energy, now we also spend the week working well at the games. For some there will be less work, others more, we will have to be good at managing individual situations."
How important is tomorrow's match?
"There was no need for my intervention to make people understand how important the challenge of tomorrow is. The experience of the past has been useful, but it is useless to keep looking at the past."
What do you like the most about Olivier Giroud:
"I like everything about Olivier, how he plays for the team, he knows how to work under pressure, he knows how to attack depth and I especially like him as a person. He is very determined and sincere. It is a pleasure working with him."
On a possible switch to 4-3-3:
"It was not the first time we did it, we prepare every game to have advantages and these are situations that I can carry out because I am fortunate to have very available players and that helps me a lot to prepare the matches."
On Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
"Zlatan gives everything and a lot to the team in everything he does, for his charisma, for his quality, for the intelligent player which he is: he knows when to fill the area and when not to. He is a little better and he will give us great support", said Pioli.
On Mike Maignan's quality while playing with his feet:
"The player who is in possession of the ball is more or less good according to the movements of his teammates without the ball. The opponents now know us well, it is important to give solutions with the movements. Mike is making the most of all of his qualities both in short and long plays."
Can Sandro Tonali be rested tomorrow?
"Tonali is doing well, same as Franck Kessié, Brahim Diaz, and Ismael Bennacer. We are 11, you know how important it is to have different characteristics on the bench. I am very confident because we have the right players to start the game and to have solutions during the game in progress."
Pioli on who will replace Theo Hernandez tomorrow:
"I really liked Florenzi with Sampdoria, at the moment I would prefer Calabria on the right and Florenzi on the left. We'll see tomorrow."
Alessio Romagnoli or Pierre Kalulu to start against Empoli?
"The choice is based on technique. I try to field the best line-up. Whoever I consider the best of the two I will line up from the start. Alessio is fine after the injury, we will see who starts tomorrow."
On the Empoli team:
"Empoli are an unpredictable team. The quality of the individuals is there. They started with the aim of saving themselves, they are very close and we must congratulate Andreazzoli for the work done."
On Alessandro Florenzi:
"He is one of the best players, like Olivier Giroud, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Simon Kjaer. They have personality and character. They are are examples for the group."
On the training at Milanello:
"This environment has given me enthusiasm which I have in approaching my players: we must be a team that needs emotion, we need to feel something inside."
