Stefano Pioli, the Rossoneri coach, expressed himself on DAZN ahead of the Sassuolo-Milan game, starting with an analysis of what didn't go well in the Mapei Stadium match:
"The two lapses in concentration, the three where we conceded the goal. Then it's not true that we weren't brave with the ball, we took up good positions. We tried to play between the lines, also attempting to play deep. I believe it was the game where we shot the most all year: if we had scored 5-6 goals there would be nothing to say about how much we created. I keep the spirit, knowing that we didn't manage to distance ourselves from Juve, but with the aim of finishing second and thinking about the next games. But we need to raise the level because for the next games we need higher attention and quality."
Is Rafael Leao a leader?
"Leao needs to learn to handle these pressures, these expectations... He has a talent superior to others, so when he can't bring it onto the field... In our environment, compliments and criticisms are often exaggerated; he must know that it will be like this for his entire career. We have to play a great game on Thursday, but I don't think we have to do something extraordinary: we have to play as we know."
What was missing today?
"The team has talent, quality, it needs to have clear ideas about what to do with and without the ball: it's the priority of my work and what we will work on for Roma and Inter. But I wouldn't talk about attitude today because our heads were elsewhere, but yes about lapses in concentration. Then we play within our principles, trying to find positions that can give us advantages on paper. I believe Roma played at the peak of their level at San Siro, we below our level. At the Olimpico, we need to bring more quality."
How do you work knowing that your future is yet to be decided? Pioli answered:
"For me, nothing changes, because mentally and professionally the next game I prepare for will be the most important. Then my future will be decided at the end of the season."
Can the derby be decisive for the Scudetto...
"Inter will win the Scudetto, we will do everything to win the derby to give satisfaction to our fans and above all to maintain second place, which is still a prestigious result. We will try to do everything to win the next two games. We will try to give our best."
How are you physically?
"We're good. Leao and Theo want to play, the more they play, the better they feel. We're arriving well for Thursday. Unfortunately, Kjaer had a problem with his hamstring. There's time to recover."
