Stefano Pioli expects a difficult game against Cagliari and that is why he has been working hard with his staff and squad to be properly prepared. He has presented tomorrow's game to the media in a press conference by saying the following words:
"This is a moment in which all the teams have great motivations. You need to prepare in the best possible way, we will need a performance of quality and intensity."
On the team's condition:
"It was a full week in which we worked well. We didn't talk about the classification, I saw great attention and participation."
How is Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
"He is better than a week ago. The minutes have increased, then we will see what choices to make for tomorrow."
On Olivier Giroud:
"Giroud has given Milan quality and depth. He is an important part of the group. I expect the best from him and everyone in this final of the season."
Stefano Pioli on AC Milan scoring fewer goals lately...
"We are showing solidity as a team in the non-possession phase. We are not scoring a lot, but we have many players who can score. The games are open for everyone and the details make the difference: we have to be careful about everything, including scoring a few more goals."
You can now control your own fate in the league table...
"There are still nine games to go, we virtually have one point ahead of Inter, three over Napoli and seven over Juventus. Maybe Atalanta have lost a few points, but the games are open for everyone. We only have to think about tomorrow's match."
How are you physically:
"I'm calm, the team is doing well, especially in the head and this is the most important thing for me."
Do you have any drops in the second half:
"We are working on this. Against Empoli, we managed the ball in the wrong way during the second half. But in the end, Maignan made one save. We must never stop trying to be dangerous."
Some people say Milan are first by luck...
"What is said outside here interests me little. We have to think only of ourselves. We are focused on what is most important, which is to keep improving."
How is Italian football doing:
"The fact of not having any Italian team in the top eight of the Champions League is certainly a negative figure. The level is high, but I don't think we miss it very much. Surely we need to improve in terms of intensity and mentality."
Pioli on what should Milan be like in the next 9 days?
"There must be positive energy shown on the pitch in each game."
On the mistakes of referees...
"I don't like talking about what happens to the others and the referees. We have to think only of ourselves and make as little mistakes as possible."
Who won't be available tomorrow?
"Daniel Maldini will not be there because he still has a fever today. Today, I will evaluate Sandro Tonali while Olivier Giroud is fine. Brahim Diaz had a blow so we will also evaluate him today."
On Pierre Kalulu:
"Kalulu has within him a belief in his own means that allows him to play with great personality", said coach Pioli, "This allows him to always play in a calm manner. He has a great desire to improve and is now collecting the fruits of his work. Now he will have to confirm the good (displays) he is showing."
On Zlatan Ibrahimovic getting called up to the Swedish national team:
"I'm not worried, if he feels like going, he should go. If he's convinced, then I am too. We have many solutions, it depends on the matches. We will face different teams that play three-way behind, and therefore there are different ways to deal with them. The important thing is to always maintain the breadth and depth of our plays."
On the choice of deploying Junior Messias as starter instead of Alexis Saelemaekers:
"Messias is working hard for the team, as well as Saeleamekers. I expect the decisive play forward from them."
On the mental condition of the team:
"I've seen the team being very attentive and focused these days. What matters is only tomorrow's match. Every game is an important milestone. The most important victory is always the next one that shall arrive."
Thoughts on Leonardo Pavoletti:
"Pavoletti is an area player, Cagliari play a good attacking game. We will have to be very careful."
Pioli again on the current moment of the team:
"We are experiencing it with great concentration. I work to prepare the team as best as possible for each match. There are still many games to play, we must not look too far ahead. The secret? It's the relationship with the managers and the availability of the players."
On facing Cagliari:
"All the teams have great motivations. We must gave a higher motivation. Cagliari will be aggressive. There will be many duels. If you want to win the game you have to win more duels and tackles."
Will the game against Cagliari will be a different one in comparison to the match of the first leg?
"We will have to play our football beyond the characteristics of Cagliari. We will have to be attentive and lucid throughout the game", concluded Stefano Pioli his interview.
