Head coach Stefano Pioli spoke to the media in a press conference and said:
In case of victory tomorrow, you will be mathematically qualified for the next Supercup...
"There must be the will to play the best game and to win. There are still 4 matches left and second place is not yet certain."
What's the mood like?
"My task shouldn't be complicated: there are 4 matches left. It's true that outside people talk about everything except the matches, but we don't. We have a great sense of responsibility. Then we'll see about the future at the end of the season."
You are linked to Napoli...
"No thoughts. I'm only focused on tomorrow. Then, at the end of the season, I will meet with the club and we'll see."
What motivations do you have for this end of the season?
"We have the opportunity to show that we are a cohesive group that cares about the fate of the club. The motivations are there. We haven't finished our job yet."
Have your friends sent you other messages?
"No, they're listening now... (smiles)."
What's your relationship with the executives like? Pioli answered:
"Zlatan and Moncada were here yesterday. The relationship with the executives has always been good and it will be at the end of the season too, even when we talk about our future."
Other important clubs appreciate your work...
"You've waited so long, wait a little longer to talk about the future: the job isn't finished. You can write, I can't control the rumors, and I don't even want to control what you spread. The real thing is that I have another year on my contract with Milan and I won't talk to any other club until I'm under contract with Milan."
If you leave Milan, what will you do?
"I know it's hard to believe, but I absolutely don't think about my future. I'm focused on these last matches, then we'll meet with the club and decide what to do."
How is Samuel Chukwueze?
"It will be an important month for everyone. Chuku is fine and will play tomorrow."
The first leg was a special match against Genoa...
"We won with a bit of luck, we were first in the standings. I want to congratulate Gilardino for the work he has done: he has very good players, but he was good at putting them together. We met our rivals who had an incredible season, we couldn't stay close to them. Then the elimination with Roma was very painful for us, we played two normal matches and we were eliminated."
How do you comment on De Rossi's words that they want to crucify you in Milan? Do you sense a hostile atmosphere?
"When you coach a big club, there's no middle ground. I've been praised a lot and criticized a lot."
Who needs to earn confirmation in the team the most?
"Everyone needs to prove every day that they belong to Milan."
Do you like pizza?
"Cappelletti in broth is my favorite dish because I'm from Parma. Congratulations to Pecchia for the promotion, he can rest assured."
Tomorrow there will be a special atmosphere at San Siro...
"In these years, the fans have been an added value that has always supported us, especially in difficult times. I don't forget that. They've taken a stance, I respect it, we have to think about winning tomorrow. Personally, I can say that in these years I often came home from San Siro with a heart full of joy. Then lately things have changed and I was a little sadder... When there's so much love, there are always excesses: I've enjoyed the satisfactions that the fans have given me, I've also suffered a lot."
Does Noah Okafor have a future as a striker?
"He's strong, he's been ready. His versatility can be important."
Loftus-Cheek won't be there tomorrow...
"Tomorrow I'll tell you who will play: Chukwueze, Pulisic, Leao, and Giroud. If I haven't chosen them before, it's because I thought we needed other types of characteristics more to win matches. Loftus-Cheek had a great season, he's strong: then he can't have the continuity that he might have next season, both in terms of knowledge and physicality."
How do you judge Gilardino's work at Genoa?
"Genoa has done a great job. Gilardino was good at giving an idea of the game, he did a great job. They play well, they have young players with excellent prospects."
Is he the right man for Milan?
"For tomorrow, I hope to be the right man for Milan, then we'll decide about the future."
Have the big names had less impact this year?
"We've always thought as a team. Within a season there are positive things and also things that didn't work. Everyone can and must grow."
Do you feel part of Milan's history?
"Of course, I'm part of Milan's history, not only because of the Scudetto, but also because I've coached this team for five seasons, in which there have been positive and negative things."
De Rossi spoke well of you. What advice do you give to him and another young coach like Gilardino?
"I wish De Rossi to maintain this fairness in judgments. I'm following him a lot, I've always appreciated him. I wish him to be able to maintain this balance. I don't feel like giving advice, they're intelligent guys. To be credible, you have to always be yourself."
How are Pierre Kalulu and Tommaso Pobega?
"They will be called up and may also play a bit of the match."
What kind of match will it be tomorrow?
"Genoa covers spaces well. We'll have to be good at understanding when to be compact and when to be aggressive."
How do you judge the season of the Primavera youngsters who have often been included in the first team?
"Very positive. It has been an important season for them, they have often worked with us and have grown. Milan will surely bet on them for the future."
