AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has spoken in the press conference today, ahead of the game against Fiorentina this Sunday in Serie A. Here are his words:
On whether Manchester game was the real asset of this season:
"It was a strong disappointment but we came out of this elimination even more aware of our qualities and that at certain levels the details make the difference. In the penalty areas we were a little less qualitative than we could have been".
On Fiorentina:
"In Florence I lived a lot as a player and coach, then what happened with Davide's tragedy, these are things that leave their mark on you, it will never be a normal game. Florence and Fiorentina are more than an opponent, last year I I received a welcome that filled me with joy. Tomorrow will be a difficult race but we have the qualities to do well".
On whether Ibra will play tomorrow:
"Zlatan took advantage of Thursday's minutes, we don't know if he will have 90 minutes but his presence is important, he will give us a lot".
On Zlatan's words in Thursday's postgame:
"I liked Zlatan's words very much. He could not say anything else. We have to aim for the maximum, there are 11 days to go, we are there in full battle and we must try to win them all, playing to the maximum every game. Probably tomorrow will be the most complicated game, both due to the skill of the opponents and because we have come from an wasteful period but we don't care. After the break, I'm sure we'll be strong".
On Calhanoglu:
"The covid and the injuries prevent you from being brilliant, Calha is an important player, he is trying to find the best psychophysical situation, he will do it soon and will be decisive again".
On where would Milan be without injuries:
"These are the seasons, we knew it could be a busy season. Up to now we were the team that had played the most. I feel that the team has overcome the delicate moment, the last performances have been from a strong team, they lost for episodes but they did not lack conviction and quality. I expect an excellent end of championship from my team".
On how does he explain the physical problems:
"There have been too many, there are justifications, in some cases something has escaped us and it will not have to happen again. The history of a player is also important, we are working on it because we are not satisfied with these numbers. We have to work better and hope that the situation can improve. We have recovered Zlatan and Bennacer, I hope that the break will give us some more players".
On Bennacer:
"Bennacer is better, it is the first week in which he has worked at a high pace, I don't think he will play tomorrow from the start but he can be useful. Attacking midfielder? He can do it too, the important thing is that he is well because he has important characteristics that they suit our way of being on the pitch".
On Vlahovic:
"He has grown very well, I have always appreciated his will, he is an incredible worker, when you train like this you are destined to improve. He is an excellent center forward but he is young and I would be careful with comparisons. I hope he continues to do well, from the next game".
On Dalot's season:
"He has characteristics similar to Theo, he has also grown in the defensive phase, he will become a complete player. We coaches really like having flexible players, then at a certain moment it would be useful to give him a definitive position to make him more aware of the situations on the pitch".
On whether he expects a reaction after elimination:
"Sorry to go out but I saw the players attentive and tomorrow we will have to react as a great team".
It doesn't bother him to hear about the Scudetto fight between Inter and Juventus. Did you hang the rankings in the locker room?
"Who said maybe I didn't."
On national team call-ups:
"We are proud when our players are called up for the national team. We also have confidence in the various staff, I hope they play well".
On United's light-heartedness:
"These clubs are not carefree, they have faith in their playing principles. It is a necessary step to become a winning team. You have to believe in quality and in the way of doing football".
On whether the absence of the fans at San Siro weigh on the home results:
"If we had had the fans, they would have pushed us into the most delicate matches, they would have given us more energy and put our opponents in difficulty. The same thing would also happen in away games. We have to go back to winning at San Siro because our results at home are below our possibilities".
On the players' reaction after the elimination:
"They reacted badly after the game, badly yesterday, with great determination and desire today".
On how to manage this stop:
"The injured [players] have had two days off, whoever goes to the national team will do well to play, someone will do well not to play all three, we are ahead on these issues. In the end there will remain three outfield players, then they will have the opportunity to recover mentally and physically".
On how long will it take to see the best version of Calhanoglu:
"I hope little, the problems he had made him lose a bit of pace. Thursday's game was more lively, I hope he can show his qualities tomorrow".
