Stefano Pioli, AC Milan coach, spoke to MilanTV ahead of the match against Spezia:
"Tomorrow's game will be crucial for the championship and for the preparation of the return match with Inter. We need clarity and determination: the league is coming to an end and tomorrow's game is very, very important. We also have the Champions League in mind, and to prepare for it, we need to play well tomorrow."
Spezia is in the relegation zone...
"It's been a strange journey. I've watched their recent games closely and they deserved more for the way they played. For Spezia, it will be a delicate match since it's their first time in the relegation zone. We expect a very attentive, determined and concrete opponent, just as we will need to be."
Will there be any rotation? Pioli replied with:
"I'm carefully evaluating all the situations. The team is doing well. I believe that now, beyond physical condition, the last few games will be played more with the head and the heart. That's what we need to focus on."
On Ismael Bennacer's injury:
"We wish him well. It's an injury that we didn't need, both because of the delicacy of the problem and the timing of the season, but these are the risks of our job. Isma is mentally and characteristically strong. He will overcome this and come back stronger than before."
On the injured players:
"Leao won't be available against Spezia, but there's a good chance he'll return to the group on Sunday and be available for the Inter match. The same goes for Krunic and Messias. Ibrahimovic and Florenzi are clearly out."
On the crucial moment of the season, Pioli offered these words:
"The next four days will be decisive for our season. I've always said that the balance is struck at the end, and we're approaching the end. We're not satisfied with our performance and the result in the first leg of the derby, but now we need to focus on the league. We need to win the next four games to reach the top four."
Can you make a come back against Inter?
"We need to focus on winning the game. We have the qualities and potential to do so if we play closer to our second half, where the game was more balanced. However, to succeed, we need to believe until the end and deliver a performance very close to perfect."
