AC Milan head coach, Stefano Pioli, has spoken to the media outlets in the press conference. Here are his words in view of the next Serie A fixture against Empoli away from home:
"We will play 12 games in 44 days, but we will not have to change our mentality. I don't like it when I feel we have to manage our energies. We must always go out on the pitch and give everything."
How is the team doing?
"The international breaks are special. Many have gone to the national team. In the last two days, I liked the team, they're fine. Rebic will be called up, he's fine. Origi is better, but he won't be called up yet. The others are all available, apart from the injured players whom everyone knows."
On Olivier Giroud:
"For me, Giroud is a champion in everything. He is fine, he has great enthusiasm, he must continue like this."
On Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez being out due to injuries:
"We are a cohesive group in which everyone helps the team. I have full confidence in who will replace them, they are strong too, perhaps with other characteristics. The important thing is to be a team with the right balance."
On struggling more in away matches:
"Winning is always our goal, at home and away. We regret not having succeeded so far away from home, I don't know if it's a coincidence, but I think the only time we played below our level was against Sassuolo. We have analysed the goals conceded and our data. We need more attention and concentration, if we have conceded all these goals it is because they are missing."
If you were told about this Serie A schedule and Champions League group draw in August, would you have accepted this?
"No, we made a good start but not excellent. The performances were there, but performances and results must go hand in hand and we haven't always succeeded. In the Champions League, we did better. But now, let's focus on the championship: this streak will be a lot important."
On Tommaso Pobega's worth:
"He's doing very well, he's less of a setter and more of a forward than the other midfielders. He's growing and he's important to us."
Some say that you have no faith in Fodé Ballo-Touré...
"That's nonesense. I have great trust in him. Of course he plays for the spot with a great player (Theo), but if he is here, it is because I have faith in him."
Will your lineup choices be affected by the next match versus Chelsea in the Champions League?
"Tomorrow, I will field the best team. I am not thinking about Chelsea", declared Pioli.
Is it possible to see an unusual attacking midfielder like Franck Kessié in last season?
"No, we have other features and I would like to exploit them."
Could the formation module be changed due to the injuries?
"We don't have time to try other solutions. As long as I see a balanced and compact team, then I won't change. It can be done, but certainly not tomorrow."
Are Aster Vranckx and Yacine Adli ready to play tomorrow?
"We have followed all our players in the national team, especially the new ones to get to know them even more. They are ready. They are players with potential. They compete with other important players for a spot in the lineup."
Pioli explains what he expects from Charles De Ketelaere:
"I expect everything he did against Napoli, he was very present in the attacking phase. He is growing, he will become a champion."
On the talented players at Empoli:
"The transfer market is in January. Tomorrow is an important match to be faced in the best possible way."
Tomorrow, the first Serie A woman referee makes her debut, thoughts?
"We need great respect with the referees. I believe the introduction of technology will allow the referees to take the field in a more relaxed way. They can make mistakes like us but technology can help them. I wish them luck in the debut. Refereeing is not easy."
On the importance of Ante Rebic, Pioli said:
"He pushes to play more than last year. He is strong. He won't be in top form yet, but he represents an important recovery. He gives us physicality and depth."
Will we see a reaction after the loss against Napoli before the international break?
"It is too important to start this part of the championship well, we have to do it with the right attitudes and the right conviction."
On the tactical ideas and their importance:
"The ideas are used to give the players the best solutions during the matches. Then it is the players who make the difference. My work is mainly based on the mental preparation of the players."
Against Napoli, Milan created many scoring chances...
"We have created many possibilities to score goals. We have to find the right way to turn these chances into goals."
Can Empoli put the team in difficulty? Pioli said:
"It is a team that goes on the wings a lot, they have many good qualities. We will try to limit them and put them in difficulty with our qualities."
On conceding more goals:
"We need to make the opportunities we create more concrete and be more careful and clear-headed in the defensive phase."
