AC Milan's head coach, Stefano Pioli, spoke to the media in today's press conference ahead of facing Lazio in Rome tomorrow night. Here are the gaffer's words:
"We have to face the difficult period and overcome it. The criticisms are there right now, we return to being a great team, expectations are high, but we have solid foundations. Let's face this moment with humility, compactness and the desire to react. My players are strong and they deserve my trust."
What is wrong with Milan?
"Resetting this moment helped us. We have to improve from all points of view. The most important aspect is the mental one. We remember last year's match, in which we suffered, but we resisted and brought home the victory at the end."
What kind of game will it be against Lazio?
"It's important because we want to overcome this difficult moment with a performance worthy of Milan. We know it's an important match."
Pioli added:
"About principles and how to stay on the pitch. We know what we have to do, we just have to display it on the pitch."
He continued:
"I understand what happened. If I'm able to solve these problems? Sure. Tactics? There won't be a tactical change. We have developed various interpretations within our game system and we will do it again tomorrow."
Tomori is going through some difficulties...
"Tomori's difficulties? I train a very responsible group who feel a lot about our work. They experience emotions, both positive and negative. We never look to accuse someone, but to solve the problems together as we have to do better."
On what should Milan do to improve:
"We have to be cynical and concrete in both phases of the game. The strategy? I have adopted the best strategy for my players."
On Lazio, Pioli said:
"They are doing an excellent championship, they have a capable coach with a very precise identity. Immobile will be missing, but Felipe Anderson is doing well as a first striker."
On Giroud and Theo Hernandez:
"They are fine, we have reassuring physical data. They are motivated and I am sure they will give their contribution."
On Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
"Recovery is going well, he is respecting his work schedule. The knee is responding well, he has resumed working on the field. It (the knee) is evaluated day by day. He is present in the locker room with the teammates and talk to them."
On the defensive department:
"The data we have is not that far from last year's, but our opponents are scoring much more than what we conceded last year. We are conceding slightly more chances clear to opponents. A team cannot lose its identity for two or three negative matches. Our work goes deep: our identity exists, it's pretty clear and precise. We'll be able to put it on the field tomorrow."
He added:
"My players are not lacking. They deserve my trust, my respect and I know they are doing everything to get back to being the team we can be."
