AC Milan coach, Stefano Pioli, spoke to Spanish outlet AS in a lengthy interview.
He discussed the Scudetto victory and celebrations first:
"It was fantastic. It is one of the most beautiful things that can happen to you. Seeing our fans happy has been the most rewarding of all we have done. The stolen medal? They haven't given it to me yet, but they've already kept it at Casa Milan (laughs)."
On the Scudetto:
"We have always believed in it, but there were two key games. The comeback in the derby and the victory against Lazio. Having won the last six games, despite having the worst schedule, we have shown our mental strength."
On Theo Hernandez:
"He was spectacular, and rare. If you look at the goal against Atalanta, he could have done a thousand other things. He was able to pass the ball earlier, ask a teammate for help, shoot earlier, all perhaps appropriate. But Theo is like the wrath of God, he has incredible strength and determination. This year he has become a more complete player, it was good for him to go to France national team because that means he has acquired a high level. But, I think he still has room to improve."
On working with so many French-speaking players at Milan:
"The French have a peculiar characteristic: they never give up on the pitch, they give everything. And when I work with people like that, I feel good. They raised the level of the team."
Pioli On Brahim Diaz:
"Many forget that Brahim is still young and that it was his first experience as a starter in a great team. It also happened to Tonali a year ago, it can happen that such an important pressure leads to ups and downs. He got off with a great start. I agree, then the injuries and Covid took away his confidence, and maybe even some of my decisions. I am sure, however, that he is a great player, of enormous qualities and very useful for the way we play. If I want him to stay? Yes of course."
On the Serie A level:
"The level rises thanks to the 'small' teams, which are developing a more intense and attacking football. We should have fewer breaks during matches and less time lost. In Europe, the intensity is higher and we paid for it. There is a difference in important investments and it is an inevitable burden."
On the actual playing time:
"It already happens in several sports. I don't accept being told there is an 8 minute discount, because if you don't intervene when a team is wasting time, you take away the intensity of the match. It would be a rule that would bring benefits, especially in Italy."
On Carlo Ancelotti:
"Carlo often talks to Maldini, he congratulated me through him. He is great. He has won in all the championships, has an intelligence and a sensitivity that go beyond normal. He knows how to manage great teams and great players like no other."
On Marco Asensio:
"He's a great player, but he's a Real Madrid player and I'm too happy with my players to talk about the others."
On knowing how to win even with young players:
"That was the idea of the club, but there was enormous support for our work. They know that if you work with young people it takes time, but we arrived at this result because people like Zlatan, Giroud, Maignan and Florenzi were a reference for the younger ones. There was a perfect mix, empathy between everyone, and this made us give more than 100%."
Pioli on why it is difficult to bet on young players in Italy:
"I think no coach cares about the age of the player... I have been a youth coach and I know that one of the most important things is to choose the right coach for each age. Then, you have to know which players can go far, even if they aren't ready yet. It's not easy."
On the use of statistical data:
"Everything has changed. When I started I had only one collaborator and now I have a technical staff of 11 people. In fact, I'll ask for another one... You have to know how to read this data, we use it above all for positioning, to see which players perform better together. Of course, the sensations ultimately make a difference. It's hard for me to pick a player because an analyst tells me he had a 78% success rate. I still believe in the appearance of my players and in what they transmit to me."
On the exits of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Hakan Calhanoglu and Franck Kessié:
"Let's just look at what the pitch says. I've never seen any of them being superficial. I saw enormous attention, professionalism and the desire to prove that we are very good. They worked great and that's why I always wish them the best, as I wish for Franck. He is a guy who has proven to be a great player and a great person, always working with a smile. I hope everything goes well for him, at Barça or anywhere, except if we meet in the Champions League. I hope to beat him there", declared Pioli as he laughed.
Do you expect a stronger Milan team in the Champions League next season?
"Yes, definitely. This year's matches have taught us a lot and, moreover, we will be in Pot 1. We have grown in value and experience, we will play this competition with the idea of qualifying."
Pioli on thinking that his work may not have been widely recognised:
"In football, that is normal. I have always felt appreciated where I worked, trying to leave everything better than how I found it. Now, I'm praised with the Scudetto. But that's the way it is, either you're very good or very bad… The labels don't interest me, every coach has his own ideas. On Saturday, we will see a final with two great coaches, but with different ideas. There are many ways, but the best solution is always the one that puts your players at ease. They are the ones who make the difference."
