AC Milan's sport director, Frederic Massara, has spoken to Sky Sport Italia ahead of kick off against Empoli at the San Siro stadium. Here are his words:
"The performance in Napoli was a beautiful one. It gave us confidence for the upcoming period. We start again from that game, looking for continuity starting from tonight."
Is Giroud's renewal a done deal already?
"We're finalising the details. The renewal is imminent."
Massara on the strategy regarding Brahim Diaz:
"He has performed very well in recent years. We will sit down with Real Madrid and see if there are conditions for a deal. We would like to keep him."
What's the update about Rafael Leao's renewal?
"There is a mutual willingness to renew and that is a good basis. There are some complex issues, but we are facing them with confidence and hope to find a solution by the end of the season. It's difficult to give a percentage, it's either done or not done, it's always 50-50. There were moments when we seemed closer, others a bit further away. It's a situation we want to resolve. It's clear that we have to understand whether we can extend before the end of the season."
What do you think of Stefano Pioli's rotation?
"It's a tactical choice, I believe. It's necessary to change with all the delicate matches we will face. We are very confident that tonight's team can do well, even though we know Empoli is a serious team."
Massara on Rafael Leao again, on who has the final say: his lawyer or Jorge Mendes?
"Rafa has the decisive word. Record's news about the fine? The fine is significant, but it's less than 21 million. We are interested spectators in this matter, not parties involved, but we are confident that the parties involved can find a solution to allow us to renew more quickly."
