On the eve of Tottenham - Milan game in London, valid for the round of 16 second leg fixture, the Rossoneri's head coach, Stefano Pioli, has released these words to the microphones of Milan TV.
"I would like to think and truly believe that these are matches that prepare themselves, but it is not so. Then I believe that there will be no need to motivate the team because we all know the importance of this game. It would mean passing a round, it would mean improving our European journey compared to last season. On the fact that the team will be motivated, attentive and focused, I have no doubt. It is clear that we have prepared for the match... We played against them two weeks ago, we know our opponents. From a tactical point of view, we have done our tests where we want to have feedback in tomorrow's match".
On the Tottenham fixture, Pioli added:
"Strangely for English teams that do not change their attitude, Tottenham is a team that has different attitudes and numbers, positively, in home games compared to away games. We have analysed their home matches very well, they can be more aggressive than they were in Milan, more intense, more energetic. They cannot surprise us on this because we know them."
On the atmosphere:
"Just as we have definitely gained energy from fantastic fans in a stadium, they will do the same tomorrow, but our fans will also be there and they will make themselves heard. It depends on our attitude, our approach to the game that must be strong and intense because we expect our opponents to do so. We must be prepared to play ball on ball because then the matches are prepared at a strategic and tactical level, but then it is the episodes that can determine such an important result: we must put something more into these episodes because they become favorable rather than the opposite."
Pioli, what game do you expect tomorrow?
"It is always difficult to predict the course of a match. In the first leg, it was a balanced, fought match that we won deservedly because we played a little better than our opponents, and we must aim to do the same tomorrow night. I believe that in the end, the team that plays better will have the chance to pass the round and win. We have a small advantage, which is not an advantage that we can manage, but we must face the game with great determination will and quality."
Pioli concluded:
"We're talking about Milan, a team that is used to playing on certain stages and at certain levels... It is clear that our path involves returning to being important in Europe, and tomorrow we have an opportunity. Difficult, but we know it's an opportunity and it's clear that tomorrow we'll try to write something important."
