After the 1-0 victory against Napoli at the San Siro. Head coach Stefano Pioli had these words to say to the microphones of DAZN:
"We've been doing well in this last month and a half, we're almost running at Inter's very high pace. Inter is having an incredible season, and we try to win every game from here to the end; we'll see what we can do. There's no point in looking back; now the Europa League is coming too. The commitments will increase, and there will be even more energy expenditure: we'll have to be good at doing well in Europe and in the League."
Will you review the failed counterattacks that could have sealed the game for you?
"We had the chance to double the lead; we'll review them. But our games are never closed (laughs), so it's good to have won a game like this; we needed to defend so well while being careful. We fought as a team; we wanted to win. These are important situations."
Ismael Bennacer and Davide Calabria's conditions, Pioli said:
"I think Isma only has fatigue; at the end of the first half, he told me he was tired. But he's fine; he's coming from the African Cup and an injury. Calabria has a problem with the adductor, but we don't know yet how serious it is; it will be evaluated in the coming days. Thiaw will return, but I don't think he'll start. We care about Thursday; we want to do well in the first leg and gain a small advantage."
On Khvicha Kvaratskhilia's position:
"In the last game, surprisingly Napoli returned to a back four against Verona; we didn't know what system he would use. Then midweek, the news came out that Kvara could play closer to the striker. I think in the first half with their 3-5-2, we took good positions; in the second half with the 4-3-3, they created a few more situations. We could have pressed their 4 better with our 3, but we dropped back."
Today Milan defended with more organisation... Pioli said:
"I've had many discussions with the players in recent weeks about our defensive attitudes and being more compact, less inclined to immediately press high can help us. Then it's our three attackers who have to give us the signal. It was a balanced, organized Milan. They made us work a lot, but no one backed down. These results give us a partial standing; we have to look to the next one."
On Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao, are they in their best forms?
"Yes. Out of necessity, Theo made himself available to play in the centre-back position, and I think he did great. On the wings, they feel each other, they feel each other out, they know each other, they kiss each other, I kiss them too when they score (laughs)."
On the psychological aspect of Theo Hernandez, Pioli replied:
"I think Theo had difficulty last year in overcoming the disappointment of the World Cup final, the fatigue of the World Cup at that time. This year when we resumed the season, I found him very positive, very proactive. He has become a leader of this team, he doesn't speak a lot. The games he played as a central defender made him understand how much more attentive and active he can be in defence. He has such important potential that he must absolutely continue like this."
Now there's Rennes in the Europa League, what kind of challenge is it?
"A tough challenge. I saw them today vs Le Havre, even though they struggled more. They're a team in good mental and physical shape, they have quality players and energy. It will be a tough challenge. We'll have to try to do well immediately at home."
READ MORE | Yacine Adli discusses the victory, the ‘sacrifices’ he makes and the defensive phase
