In the eve of Milan-Cagliari, matchday 2 of Serie A, coach Stefano Pioli has held the usual press conference to talk about the team. Here are his words to the media:
On Bennacer:
"The condition has improved, he is ready to play from the start, then we will see what choices I make. We must expect important performances, he has everything: defensive phase and construction. Player of great quality."
On the controversy over the national break:
"The schedule was clear from the start of the season, Milan has always been attentive to all protocols. These are situations within the competence of the health and corporate area."
On Tonali:
"What I said for Brahim also applies to Sandro: Wanting Milan at all costs means being proud to defend the colors we wear every day, we feel this pleasure and this responsibility, we want to take these colors higher possible. It is important that he wanted to stay with us, he has everything to be a complete player, an all-rounder. His growth has been constant and there have also been difficult passages as is normal."
On Brahim Diaz:
"I found him more ready like the rest of the players who came from different leagues. They are all more ready, they know how to recognize situations differently, we are more team. We want to play and improve, we must maintain this enthusiasm that allows us to go beyond our qualities."
On Bakayoko's arrival and the pressure of having fans in stadium again:
"He is not yet a Milan player, I can't say anything. We are no longer young as a team. We will only have positive effects from the fans at the stadium, we want to take all the energy possible to make the best possible performance."
How can Milan improve?
"In the summer we played competitive friendlies, the team tried to keep the game under control. We have to try to be more dangerous, we don't always manage to turn chances into clear scoring opportunities, we have to improve in the last third of the pitch."
On Pietro Pellegri:
"Pellegri was in good condition but not yet in optimal conditions, he will not be called up for tomorrow. He is quite well, he will need the break and I hope that in two weeks he can be completely inside the work of the group."
Do you fear losing Kessié?
"Right now my focus is only on tomorrow's match, as far as renewals are concerned, there are still important days to go. The evaluations at the end, but we are very attentive to everyday life. Valuations at the end of the market."
Is Pioli's Milan like Roberto Mancini's Italy?
"It is a good combination, we hope to be able to obtain the same results. This is certainly our mentality in enthusiasm. Milan's historical past must not be a burden but a motivation, we will play to give our best and try to win."
What is Cagliari expecting?
"Certainly in previous matches they did not wait for their opponents, I think it is also quite normal to have these situations at the beginning of the season where there is no pressure from the standings. We don't know what their attitude will be, we will have to be good at interpreting the positions. The maturity of a strong team lies in reading situations well."
