AC Milan boss, Stefano Pioli, puts the goalless draw against Bologna behind already and is now thinking of the next game against Torino.
The first in the league table with 67 points, the Rossoneri, will take on the side of Ivan Juric away from home. It will be yet another difficult game. In his usual press conference one day before the game, the head coach of the red and black faithful said the following words to the media:
"It was a week of work done well, there was participation and the right quality that will serve us tomorrow evening."
On Torino's boss Ivan Juric:
"Juric is a coach I respect a lot, he gives a great identity to the team and makes his players improve."
What went wrong against Bologna?
"We had a good match against Bologna. However, we could not win. There are certain aspects which we need to improve."
On the attacking phase...
"The big numbers tell you something, we need to improve our attacking phase in the last 20 meters. We work on many situations, on this we are trying to do it more carefully."
On Alexis Saelemaekers:
"Alex is a Milan starter. Everyone here is a starter. But, I have to make the choices. The psycho-physical condition cannot always be 100%. I made certain choices because at that moment, I thought they were right but there are many other opportunities", declared Pioli
How much of the AC Milan which beat Torino 7-0 would you like to see again?
"That match is far away and Torino are different now. It will be a physical and 'dirty' match but we will be ready for it."
On the Serie A standings:
"There are no perfect teams. City had 12-13 points ahead of Liverpool, tomorrow head-to-head with one point between them. All teams have moments of ups and downs, and they must be overcome with work. We have shown that we can overcome difficulties. We must focus on teamwork."
Pioli on what should Milan be doing more of:
"We must enhance our qualities and cover our weak points that are part of us. Our positive aspects, however, are superior."
On Tommasso Pobega:
"Pobega has certainly done well but now is not the right time to talk about next season. Now, I have to improve my current squad and then we will think about the future."
On the fans booing Franck Kessié in the last game against Bologna:
"Kessie is focused and motivated. I haven't talked to him but we're all focused on the next matches."
On the Bologna game again:
"We could have made different choices, these are matches built like that... In the league, an average of 42 balls are played in the opposing area, we have played 93."
On changing the form in the offensive phase:
"We change a lot from game to game and we will continue to do so according to the opponents we find. It will be a question of quality and precision in the last meters and we will try to do so tomorrow."
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On if there is more tension towards the end of the season:
"I don't see a worried and anxious team. It's normal to be in the last 10 minutes of a game but I don't see a worried team. It's a privilege to be here, we are here and we have the qualities to do it. Last summer nobody thought that we could fight for the Scudetto."
On Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Junior Messias and Rafael Leao:
"They have trust like everyone else and I respect them very much for the work of cohesion. I make choices to field the best line-up and every Milan player must think that even a few minutes can make a difference."
Pioli shares his thoughts on seeing Rafael Leao and Ante Rebic play together in the game against Bologna:
"It can be a solution with three defenses rather than four. We have certain characteristics: with Kessie as an attacking midfielder you are more balanced. But with Brahim (Diaz), we are more offensive. It depends on the situation."
If Ante Rebic can act as the playmaker...
"With the 4-4-2, maybe it can be done, It would be a 4-4-2. I'm not anchored to any game system."
An important duel awaits: Olivier Giroud vs Gleison Bremer:
"Bremer is one of the strongest defenders in the Italian league and Giroud can put him in difficulty because he is one of the strongest forwards in Italy."
How do you train your players now?
"You train if you have a goal and in my opinion we will get to tomorrow's game with the certainty that every ball can be decisive for scoring goals."
On not playing at the same time as the other rivals:
"I think it would be fair for everyone to play at the same time but playing sooner or later doesn't make a difference. If you want to win the Scudetto, you have to have a winning mentality but playing at the same time would be the best thing."
Pioli on if Milan can win the Scudetto with an average of 2.4 points away from home?
"You have to collect many points and win many games and I think the team has the qualities to do it. Tomorrow's game is the most important and one would have to think about that."
What is missing for Milan?
"If we think too much about the previous match, we don't prepare well for the next one. The matches are unique: maybe tomorrow we won't make 30 shots on goal but 3 and score 3 goals. The important thing is to put quality in order to put Turin in difficulty too."
On the fans who are waiting for a win tomorrow
"About not making them suffer, I promise nothing. But, as for bringing them joy, we will try."
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