AC Milan's head coach, Stefano Pioli, was not available yesterday to speak with the media after his team's victory against Fiorentina. He left due to the passing of his brother-in-law. Today, however, he received the Sport and Civilization award given to him at the Teatro Regio in Parma. He spoke to the media and said these words:
"Yesterday's victory? The team has definitely grown from a mental point of view and I think they know how to recognise opportunities. After the bad performance in Cremona, (...) we knew we had to show we could finish well and with the right attitude; we played with great intensity, meeting an opponent who created great difficulties for us: winning these matches mean having belief."
How do you think will your players return from the World Cup competition?
"We have many goals to achieve: there is the championship, the Italian Cup, the Super Cup, the Champions League. There is is a motivated and stimulated group, so even those who return from the World Cup will do so with the right mentality to make the Better possible."
Pioli on the first part of the championship and how it went for his team:
"It is an anomalous championship, particular and difficult: we are making some balances that are not correct, because there are still 23 games and there is room for all the teams..."
What will your team be doing during this break?
"There has never been so many games in the history of football, so rest will be important. Then, from December 2, we will resume preparation, playing many friendlies, training at Milanello for a week, then 10 days in Dubai and waiting for the return of the 7 players from the national teams, whose situations will then be very subjective."
How do you feel when you hear 'Pioli's on Fire' chant?
"It is something special and exciting, because it is not taken for granted; the chorus started from my players, then from the fans, who started singing it before the Scudetto victory and this gives me great satisfaction. Of course, reviewing the images of the past season... We gave ourselves great emotions, a wonderful dream."
Perhaps Milan did not seem like the strongest team last season...
"No, in my opinion Milan were the strongest team, because in the decisive moment of the championship, when it was necessary to win 6-8 consecutive games, the guys have been fantastic, showing cohesion, soul and a lot of talent that the other teams have not been able to have."
How do you evaluate the Charles De Ketelaere and the new signings so far? Pioli replied with the following:
"We, as a club, have our own ideas and plans. When it comes to investing in young people, everyone is happy, but then there is no patience to wait for them. We are talking about kids who come from different countries, from different cultures, different ways of playing and different habits. It is normal to have difficulties, but we are absolutely convinced that we have recruited talented, intelligent and willing players."
Do you see yourself returning to Parma in the future?
"I am 100% a 'parmigiano'. I have all the affections here and when I want to feel really good I come here (Parma). It was a big disappointment to be able to do well here, but I came at a particular time and I probably wasn't quite as ready as I am now."
"The future is difficult to predict in our profession. What interests me is to always have the same enthusiasm, the same passion and the desire to improve. I will face the future and see what happens."
