After the 1-0 victory against Hellas Verona, AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli spoke to DAZN and said these words:
"We always play to win, it's an important victory because it's been a mentally and physically challenging week. We faced a team that is in good form at the moment, they pressed us a lot. Perhaps at times our build-up was a bit too slow, and we lacked a bit of play between the lines and some width on the flanks. However, we played as a team, we worked hard, and it's a victory that will do us good."
How did Captain Leao perform today?
"Well. Because this is how we think. We can't chase after everything... I think there's an exaggeration in the negativity surrounding my players. As far as I'm concerned, I take all the responsibility, I've always put myself out there, and I always will. I coach a very responsible group that knows that a teammate's mistake is everyone's mistake. They know that you have to support them not only with words but also with behaviors and attitudes", said Pioli, "I'm fortunate to coach a truly united and cohesive group. Rafa did what he had to do. Sometimes he starts a bit slowly in the beginning of the match and then grows. Today he started very well and then at times he came out, but he's finding his way. He should be happy, and he is: he feels good with everyone, he feels good wearing this jersey, he feels good with the club, he feels good with the fans, and with us."
Pioli added:
"He needs to know that when you become a great player, you have to bear high expectations as well."
How is Rade Krunic's physical condition?
"Unfortunately, I think he has a muscular problem. He felt something in the flexor, so there's definitely something there. I can't tell the extent, and I believe it will be difficult to see him in the next few matches, but we have other characteristics and players at our disposal. Since the beginning of the year, I've been trying Adli in that role and he's doing well, now he'll have his chances too. There are also other midfielders, we can change something up front... The important thing is that the boys feel good together, united, eager in tough matches like today's."
About Tijjani Reijnders, Pioli said:
"At this moment, if Krunic is unavailable for a few matches, we have two players who can play in that position: Adli and Reijnders. We'll be playing every three days, everyone will play. It's not an individual, but it's the team that has to work in a certain way. Today I made changes out of necessity, just yesterday afternoon we found out that Calabria and Theo wouldn't be able to play, and we made some adjustments even though we maintained a formation with 5 players and kept 5 attacking players. I saw a team that worked hard and stayed in the game with intelligence and composure."
On the pressure from the forwards on Rafael Leao's goal:
"We capitalised on their mistake, that's the principle of our defensive phase. Trying to work well from the top to regain the ball immediately and be dangerous."
Reijnders' positioning:
"By centralizing Florenzi in the build-up, then Tijjani, marked not by a defender but by a midfielder, had to go a bit deeper. In my opinion, he was a bit too in between the lines, there should have been Chris to draw away Verona's third defender. Tijjani did it well, but he was unlucky at times in Giroud's lay-offs. We asked Rade to stay lower and Reijnders to push up."
So, is this formation only used in emergencies? Pioli answered:
"Absolutely, I've never believed that the system of play wins you matches, but it's the interpretation of the matches, playing with clarity and precision. Musah can do this role very well because he has incredible speed, Theo can do it, and Florenzi too. For me, the very positive thing is that in a half-session of twenty minutes in training, changing the team so much today, they didn't feel it. This gives me the opportunity in the future to use this formation. If there's a player who can make the most of a three-man defense, it's Simon Kjaer, who as a central with the cover of others is more prepared to work in a central way. Now on Wednesday, there will be another tough match."
