The Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic, in his interview with the Serbian portal mozzartsport.com, also spoke about the tactical lessons learned in Italy and the work done with the current AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli.
Here are his words:
"I arrived in Florence very young. I had an adaptation period, and it was difficult for me. I met coach Stefano Pioli, to whom I am very grateful and devoted. He works very well with young players, gives excellent psychological advice, excels in individual work... He communicates with the youth. Simply, a great coach. Of course, he is also excellent on the field and in how he plays with the team. When I arrived at Fiorentina, the tactic was 'by the metre.' I had just come from Serbia, and we were doing a tactical training. Pioli pointed out where to be, I positioned myself, and he said 'a bit more, a bit more.' I repositioned myself and said, 'I'm doing it!,' and he replied again, 'a bit more.' Literally, this went on for ten centimeters. We look at the half meter. And then, over time, I understood how important that tactic is for them. Especially in defence. That tactical discipline is of great importance."
Milenkovic continued:
"With Pioli, I played as a right-back. I even resented it because I can freely say that as a right-back, I am limited compared to what I can provide as a center-back. But that's how it was, and I scored two goals in the first five games. But it was also a new experience in which I learned some new things. I had Chiesa in front of me playing on the right-wing along the sideline, and Pioli paired it so that I was the full-back who advanced less, and Chiesa had the freedom not to cut inside. I played as a full-back, center-back in a three-man defense, in a four-man defense, and I learned a lot. When you spend a few seasons in Italy, you can play in any position, given how well-trained you are. In Fiorentina, we play with four defenders, in the National Team with three, and I have no problems with any formation."
