The red and black faithful will be facing Genoa at the San Siro tomorrow and there is great hope from the fans that the players will unlock this game and grab the win in order to break the poor run of form.
AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli meanwhile has presented the game to the various media outlets in a press conference.
Here are his words:
"The fans are out extra weapons. We have to use this weapon to do well until the end of the season."
On the atmosphere now at Milanello:
"We always play to win and when we fail, we become disappointed. But the day after the disappointment must turn into concentration in view of the next game. I saw a convinced group. we know we have to do something more in our performances."
On the players who recovered from injuries:
"Ibra will be out for about a week or 10 days. We hope to have him back for the season finale. Compared to the game against Torino, there will be Bennacer and Rebic available. They might even play as starters or be useful during the match in progress."
Does the team still believe in Scudetto?
"The team believes in how they are playing. We are playing energetic football, we create more than our opponents and it is right to believe in it until the end because we are strong. We are not at the top. We have to give something more to win. We will play for it until the end."
Pioli on Rafael Leao's form:
"If we are still fighting to win the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia, everyone has given their best. Leao will be marked again tomorrow, but the important thing is to put him in a position to do so many one on one."
Milan are not masters of their own fate anymore...
"When I say that it depends on us, I mean that if we play as we know, then we can win our matches. We must try to win as many points as possible."
On the fans booing Franck Kessié:
"Franck is motivated. The fans are with us and will be with us until the end."
What is missing?
"It's too early to take stock. The balances are made only at the end. We need to score as many points as possible and try to stay in the fight for the Scudetto until the end."
On Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
"The physical problems are there for everyone. He has had several and now he is struggling with the knee. Unfortunately, it went like this, we hope to have him in the last few games. Regarding his future, I am sure he will make the best choice. And we will be with him whatever he chooses."
On not scoring many goals:
"We have to win. To do this we need to score... We must all be more precise."
Is there a plan B for when Ibra is absent?
"For every game we have a plan A and a plan B with different things."
Genoa defend well...
"When we prepare for matches, we study our opponents well. Apart from the last match, it's a team that defends well, plays simple and effective football. We have prepared ourselves to have situations in order to have advantages."
Should Alexis Saelemaekers play as a full-back?
"It's more of a solution for the match in progress than from the start. The absences of Kjaer, Florenzi and Ibrahimovic are important: they know how to deal with these moments. I, however, trust a lot in the mentality of my players. We all know we have to do a little more."
On Milan's defence:
"It must be decisive, but obviously it must be accompanied by an offensive phase and made more effective."
On the competition with Inter and Napoli:
"They all have very high motivations. In my opinion, we are playing well, then they judge the results as they should be. I'm not looking at the others with so much attention."
Can you reach 84 points?
"We are thinking of winning tomorrow's game. We have the qualities to do it. We will start winning again, then we will do the math at the end."
Pioli on Milan's struggle against teams who defend with a low line:
"When the teams close, it is difficult for everyone. If you don't unlock it, it becomes even more difficult. It is a discourse that is more valid for the match against Bologna than against Turin. We have improved the center of gravity, territorial supremacy and opportunities created. However, we have not yet found that clarity and precision to unlock the games and try to close them in transition, in which we are very strong."
Why did Brahim Diaz have this decline in form?
"He has had a drop in condition, it's normal in such a long season. Even after Covid, he played some good games. Brahim is a quality player who will be important from now to the end."
Do you miss Ibrahimovic?
"Having him or not having him makes the difference, especially in home matches where there are fewer spaces and therefore you are forced to play a lot of balls in the box. But, we also have other quality players. We hope to have Ibra back on the pitch soon."
Why is Milan struggling to score?
"It is evident that we are lacking the spark. I said to call it what you want: a little precision, clearing up, clarity ... We have to improve if we want to win again."
On the game against Genoa tomorrow at San Siro:
"We think we have prepared well. Then, it will depend on us, on our quality and on the pace which we must show to win the game."
Is Giroud too isolated up front?
"I don't think that was our problem, we filled the area well. We have to be good at not filling it too soon", concluded Stefano Pioli the press conference.
