AC Milan's head coach, Stefano Pioli, has spoken to the microphones of Prime Video after the Rossoneri's game against Tottenham as his side secured qualification to the Champions League quarter finals. Here are his words:
"We did good. I had asked the team to play with personality, in the first half we could dribble even more. We played with personality, we never gave up. A well-deserved passage to the next round for how we played the two games."
Can this Milan dream?
"Milan must take one step at a time", said Pioli, "It was important to get through the group stage to do better than last year, it was important to get through the round of 16 and now we'll wait for the draw. We will take a great team but Tottenham were also a great team, but we will fight for our chances. Now let's get back to the championship, where we're a bit late and the goal is to score as many points as possible. We are very happy, we were very keen on passing. Dreaming is beautiful and helps to work better. Now let's focus on the championship and then we'll go back to thinking about the Champions League."
On the three-man defence, Pioli commented:
"I took this decision after yet another defeat, the heavy one at home against Sassuolo, because it seemed that very little of the old game system worked, especially in the defensive phase. It's not just a different position, it's all about the attitude - the team works harder. And then I think we have three central defenders, but not just those who are playing, also Kjaer and Gabbia, who are inclined to play like this. The characteristics were there, it was the right moment: however we have not changed our concepts."
What would you like to see from the team in the pre and post Champions League in terms of concentration to achieve results?
"The same energy, the same personality, the same desire to play continuously. We have to be this kind of team. Then Serie A is difficult, but we have to play with this energy and personality. Playing in the Champions League is too good, rewarding, important for Milan. So either we win it, and I don't think it will be easy, or we have to reach the top four. There's a lot to do in the league. Now we have the possibility to recover a bit because we will play on Monday. It is important to bring something positive from this performance on which to build our path in the championship."
Pioli continued:
"I like to think that there will be nothing impossible in sport. Then of course, only the strongest in Europe will remain and the difficulties will increase, but I'm sure all the experiences made in Europe, especially the negative ones, have helped us to level up. Now we have to take advantage of these positive experiences to grow in self-esteem and play for the quarterfinals with conviction and confidence."
