AC Milan will face Torino tomorrow away and the Rossoneri team will try its best to bring home three points that will be absolutely crucial in the path to secure a Champions League spot.
Ahead of the game, Stefano Pioli, during the press conference, had this to say the Italian media:
On Ibrahimovic:
"It was the only discordant note on Sunday. He suffered a slight distortion, he will certainly not be there against Turin and Cagliari."
Will Brahim Diaz play again?
"He has certain characteristics, to play between the lines he and Calha are the most suitable ones. But tomorrow will be a completely different game than on Sunday."
On the squad's qualities:
"One of our qualities is balance. We rejoiced on Sunday evening, but since yesterday morning we have been thinking only of Turin. Tomorrow is a very important match, we need to score more points to reach our goal."
Is Donnarumma now closer to staying with Milan:
"Gigio is a professional, he is focused only on the last three games. On May 24th the sums will be drawn, until then no one will talk about the future. We are all focused on tomorrow's match."
On Ibrahimovic and Donnarumma's impacts:
"You win and lose as a team. If then the qualities of the individuals increase their value, obviously the depth of the team also increases. There is a group that has worked a lot this season, that's the only thing that counts."
Rebic, against Juventus, was very motivated when he was subbed in...
"The right reaction is what Ante had on Sunday. He is a Milan starter, he knows it well, but then I prepare the game based on what I think is best for the team. Anyone wants to play and therefore it is right that who he doesn't play is upset. I have always told my players that they must always help the team and have a great spirit of sacrifice. Rebic was not happy, but he entered very well. I make the choices based on the game we want to play."
Will Kjaer be rested tomorrow?
"Sunday's choices were very focused on our defensive phase. I didn't like the defensive phase against Benevento. Today I will evaluate the team, yesterday it seemed to me that everyone recovered well. I will evaluate what to do between today and tomorrow morning."
What kind of match will it be tomorrow against Torino:
"I don't know if Torino will wait for us or not, we have to play our game, we have to continue on Sunday night's performance. The same spirit will be needed. We are in the decisive moment of the season."
How does Milan change without Ibrahimovic?
"The goal is to show our qualities and exploit them. Rebic has other characteristics than Ibra for example. On Sunday we were good at attacking the depth, we have a good player between the lines. The opponents cannot close all the spaces, we we have to be ready and careful to take advantage of the spaces. A mature team makes the right choices at the right moments and we did it on Sunday."
Is there a different spirit in the locker room?
"The victory on Sunday gave us great satisfaction. We won clearly against a strong opponent, these victories give you great confidence, but we know we have not done anything yet. There are three games left, it is time to continue to have this attitude. In every match there are difficulties, being a team wants to be good at overcoming them together."
Can Pioli improve further as a coach in this respect?
"I try to improve every day. I have great passion inside, I don't look at what I have done in the past. I want to continue growing, my growth process is not finished. Obviously past experiences have helped me, but I still have great desire to grow."
Thoughts on #PioliOut?
"I've never heard of it here at Milanello, there is a great atmosphere. I'm happy and I will be as long as we work in this way."
What leads you to make certain choices like Diaz and not Rebic?
"We need to work well, we need to know our opponents and our qualities. I quote Mandela: 'When I am afraid of taking risks, I will no longer be able to be a leader."
What game will you play tomorrow?
"Tomorrow we will have to be good at occupying the pitch well and taking advantage of the spaces. We will have to be good at making the right choices."
Could the wrong penalty have been the key moment of Turin's victory? The team reacted very well ...
"Yes, as was Diaz's goal. The team's reaction after the penalty was positive, he proved to be strong. It was an excellent response."
Can Dalot instead of the suspended Saelemaekers be a possibility on the right?
"Yes it can be a possibility. He is more of a full-back, but it can be a possibility."
