Stefano Pioli, the AC Milan coach, expressed himself this way on DAZN after the Empoli-Milan match, which ended in a 0-3 result in favour of the Rossoneri:
"We have to be careful throughout the entire game; we conceded something in the second half, which is why I was calling my players. We've had experiences where at 0-2 towards the end of the first half, we dropped points, but today the attitude was right. It was definitely a positive performance."
Is there a chance for the championship? Pioli replied:
"We need a second half of the season significantly better than last year's... This year, we definitely need to do better. We've dropped some points, but now we want to get back to playing the way we know. We're already thinking about the next game to earn as many points as possible."
Have you overcome the negative period?
"I believe we've left the negative period behind. But it's useless to dwell on what we could have done because there are still many matches and plenty of opportunities for this season to be positive. We're improving, playing at a good level. Now we have Atalanta in the Italian Cup, a competition we value and will give our best."
Theo Hernandez seems very comfortable, Pioli said:
"Theo is incredibly strong, with intelligence on the field and a physicality that few have in the world. He's applying himself with an intensity and attention as a center back that he sometimes didn't show as a full-back. He's delivering top-level performances; today, he didn't make a single mistake and made several positive contributions. I believe it's right to continue like this at the moment."
Can Ruben Loftus-Cheek score more goals?
"He needs to score, occupy the box, time his runs, show quality, technique. He should aim not necessarily for double figures but to stay inside the box, score even with his head, take on one-on-one situations. But all our midfielders can score more goals."
Is it easier to coach experienced players than young ones?
"It is. Experienced players used to train a bit on their own, but now the more experienced ones are the most professional, setting an example, being very intelligent. Sometimes young players want everything immediately and aren't as willing to sacrifice to achieve something. Ours are here on merit because they're good, very humble, and available. It's difficult to predict their careers, but they need time and the chance to make mistakes. However, I want to say that an important group has formed: there are no old or young players, but a group that gets along well and wants to give their best in every game."