AC Milan's ex head coach, Stefano Pioli, granted another interview (after the one given to La Gazzetta dello Sport), to Milannews.it.
He said these words about the derby tonight and the club overall:
"When Milan is involved, I’m always excited. I expect an engaging and beautiful match to watch. I haven’t watched much of Milan this season. At first, I didn’t feel like watching them; it was hard for me. So I struggle to give an overall judgment: I saw the second half against Madrid, they played well, a great win. On the other hand, the match against Juventus wasn’t great."
What do you wish for Milan?
"Always the best, because of what I experienced with my players. Seasons have their highs and lows; it’s not easy, but Milan must always compete to win."
Did you need to distance yourself from Italy? Pioli replied:
"As soon as the season ended, I decided I wouldn’t coach in Italy this year. Those five years were emotionally intense. At first, I didn’t think I’d end up coaching in Saudi Arabia, but this opportunity came along. I really liked the club’s management—it was one of the best meetings of my coaching career. They asked all the right questions for a coach. I can’t speak for everyone, but I often base my decisions on initial feelings, and they were very positive here. The club wants to grow, Saudi football wants to grow, and it will. I’ve been warmly welcomed by everyone. Being away from Milan has probably been good for me; staying home would have been harder. Besides, I love coaching—it’s my passion. Even though I’ve met coaches who’ve taken breaks and enjoyed it, I struggle to do the same.”
How was it seeing your former players again?
“Wonderful, emotional. I expected it to be that way. I know what I experienced with my players and the club. It was a beautiful journey, full of joys and disappointments, but we gave our all. Seeing them again after such a journey was a pleasure. The other day, I sat close to Milan’s bench, and it felt like I was still on it (laughs). The respect and camaraderie we built at Milanello will stay with me forever. Giroud called me right after seeing the footage.”
Pioli, does Zlatan Ibrahimović inspire confidence as a director?
“I believe Zlatan is very intelligent and will work to do his best for Milan. I knew him well as a player, less so as a director since I left shortly after he transitioned. But I’m sure he’ll give his all. Expectations are high, but not winning doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not doing well. He’ll make mistakes like everyone, but he’ll learn and improve. If I were a Milan fan, I’d trust Zlatan.”
What does Cristiano Ronaldo represent? Pioli said:
“Cristiano’s role goes beyond his footballing quality. He came here to elevate the game, and there’s no doubt about that. I’ve coached many champions, but Cristiano tops the list. You realize it’s his mentality that sets him apart. Even after winning everything, he remains a perfectionist. He prepares for games with an incredible obsession, as if he’s still 20 and has everything to prove. He’s a champion with an exceptional mindset, and his presence benefits his teammates and raises the overall standard.”
Does coaching in Saudi Arabia present challenges in communicating tactics?
"I’m always looking for ways to find advantages over opponents. My approach is to create solutions that pose problems for them during matches. I started gradually here, first assessing the players’ characteristics before introducing my principles and plans. I’m essentially doing the same things I did in Italy, albeit sometimes at a different pace. We’re working well, and our offensive and defensive stats are strong. Our main issue is poor finishing, which we’re addressing."
Do you miss Milan?
“Yes and no. I can’t dwell too much on the past. Milan is a top club, and leaving wasn’t easy. If I look back, I miss it, but I’m happy where I am now.”
Your standout memory from Milan? Pioli commented:
“There are so many. Certainly, the Scudetto celebrations, but also the joy of working in an environment where it was a pleasure to train and play every day. I believe a coach should be judged based on what they find upon arrival and what they leave behind. The emotions I felt will stay with me forever.”
'Pioli is on fire' after Atalanta?
“That was fantastic. I just thought it was a bit early and hoped things would go well for at least a week. What’s special about ‘Pioli is on fire’ is that it started with the players and was embraced by the fans. That doesn’t happen often. The players were thrilled when the fans sang it."
