AC Milan's coach, Stefano Pioli, spoke to the media at Milanello in a press conference ahead of tomorrow's fixture against Torino.
Here are his words:
How do you motivate players towards achieved objectives?
"It's been a good week finally, because we hadn't won in a long time... We are calmer and I believe that serenity can help us perform at our best tomorrow, so I expect a good performance also for the desire we have to finish the season well."
What kind of Milan will we see?
"Theo didn't train today as he had a flu attack, so I'll see if he'll recover in time for tomorrow. If I manage, I'll play everyone in these last two matches."
How do you live what could be your last days at Milanello?
"Who? Giroud and Kjaer? (laughs). I try not to think about it. Then I'll meet with the club at the end of the season, we'll make our evaluations. Until then, I try to stay focused to help the team, then eventually I'll experience certain emotions as they come."
How do you comment on the Allegri situation? Pioli replied:
"It's always difficult to judge from afar. Allegri has won a lot, he's a great coach. We know that for the role we have, we have to manage certain types of expectations and pressures. Then everything is always exaggerated in our environment, both compliments and criticisms."
A rating for you and the team?
"No. We've definitely had a better season than last year, but a worse performance in Europe than last year."
Do you feel supported by your executives?
"I've always had a great relationship with the club, and it will be so until the end. Then everyone does what they have to do."
Do you feel supported by your executives? Pioli answered:
"I've always had a great relationship with the club, and it will be so until the end. Then everyone does what they have to do."
Are you in favour of VAR by request?
"I am in favour of playing more. Having more interruptions, I don't know if it's the best way..."
Is it possible that with almost 100 goals in the season, we can't win anything?
"Some have scored more than us, but also and above all, there are those who have conceded fewer goals than us."
Do you think your driving force at Milan has been exhausted after 5 years? Daniele Massaro said, 'If you get a coach with an unknown track record, you might as well keep Pioli'
"If Massaro wanted to give a compliment... The reasoning isn't correct: 'You might as well keep Pioli.' It should be: 'It's right to keep Pioli because...'. I won't comment."
Don't get booked tomorrow... (Pioli is cautioned)
"I've made a note of that. Have patience, you've been talking about the future until now. Wait another week."
Does this team have a future?
"Don't ask me these questions. Giroud will play his last match, not tomorrow from the start: I hope he can reach 50 goals. The relationship I've created and had with the players is really deep, it goes beyond what we've done or not done... I can only be grateful and happy. I do this job to be moved, and I have been moved here; this goes beyond any result, any criticism, any glory or benefit. That's why I'll always say thank you to my players."
Olivier Giroud will leave Milan...
"He, Kjaer, Ibrahimovic have been very important with me and with their teammates. Meanwhile, many of their teammates have grown and will have the task of taking on responsibilities and leading."
What do you think about Giroud?
"We won that Scudetto because everyone gave their best. I should say many things, give many compliments about that year... We did something exceptional, where everyone performed at their best, some even beyond their potential. A magic was created among us, with the environment, with the fans, then we were rewarded by a great success. Giroud was fundamental in the team's growth. I am absolutely linked to him, to Kjaer, and to Zlatan."
How can your players improve?
"The newcomers have important qualities and can do even more, indeed: surely they will do more. Last year, when we applauded together for the second place in the gym, I asked the boys about the ranking in their team last year and no one, except Okafor, had reached such a high level. Then we had ups and downs, but not due to lack of availability, compactness. That's why I want to reward everyone in these last two games. I can only be grateful to this group."
Why does Torino always dance around the tenth place? Pioli replied:
"There are teams of a very high level, so for those teams like Torino, it's difficult to stay within. From the Champions League, this year some big names will drop out. It's not easy for Torino to surpass those teams. I really respect Juric, and it's difficult to play against him. Plus, Torino has a prestige and a history that makes it difficult for the environment to accept seasons of average level."
30 years ago, Milan won the Champions League... Where were you?
"I was in Florence, there was a friendly match Fiorentina - Milan with Capello saying he had figured out who to play and who not. I was playing for Fiorentina. I remember the game very well: a stratospheric Milan. I remember Capello's words very well..."
Can Milan win the Champions League in the coming years?
"It's difficult. I believe Milan can do it, even though the level is very high. This year, however, we had a clear example: Dortmund is fifth, 25 points behind Leverkusen, and they're in the final, even though Real is the favourite. Now Ancelotti will be impressed (laughs). We have to take the next step."
Have you thought about the 0-7 from three years ago in Turin?
"It's not in my mind to rewind the tape yet..."
Have you thought again about the matches against Roma (in Europa League)?
"There are always regrets. The team gave their all, but in those two games against Roma, the team couldn't perform as they can."
