Stefano Pioli spoke to the microphones of SportMediaset before the start of the derby fixture between AC Milan and Inter at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Here are his words:
"Tonight's match? We got here with concentration, attention and enthusiasm. It's nice to be here. These are special matches: it's already a derby and what's more, it's a final. The approach must be crucial. What also matters is playing 95 minutes with continuity, confidence, positivity and energy."
Is it a crossroads for the season?
"It's a trophy, it will start soon and it will end soon. This is not a crossroads, because then there's the Serie A and the Champions League that we want to experience as protagonists. The season will continue."
Pioli on if he chose to deploy Simon Kjaer and Junior Messias for tactical or physical reasons:
"Both reasons."