Coach Pioli presented the game against Venezia, which is set to be played away from home tomorrow as he talked to the media during today's press conference:
"If the group helped Kalulu and Gabbia? A sense of responsibility and union, a sense of belonging. The group works together to give their best and they do it with great passion. Unity and compactness are the strength of a group and they seek to always give your best."
Ibra missed the penalty against AS Roma...
"Zlatan is always angry. he is always angry with someone to get his motivations out of himself and from others. He is not happy with the wrong penalty, but he is happy with the contribution given. Tomorrow he will show the determination that is needed", said the AC Milan boss.
What do you think of Rafael Leao's return to the field?
"He is approaching 100%, he needs time. I believe he must continue to work with ambition, he can become a strong player on the European and world scene."
On the team's current moment and form:
"have seen the team well. When we win we have always run less than our opponents, because it means that we have kept the ball more. From a physical point of view we have managed (the match vs Roma) well."
Pioli on the Covid situation:
"It is a special moment and we must be careful, respecting the protocols to be as safe as possible. It is an unpredictable moment, so we encourage all players to be ready to play."
On the possible closure of stadiums:
"We suffered a lot from the absence of the fans. Football is made for the fans, but they too must do their part by respecting the rules."
On the importance of the next games:
"They will be complicated matches, because the level of the opponents is good. Venezia are a well-trained team, fast and technical. We have to play better than our opponents, with intensity. We will see at the end of the game what we managed to do. We want to score many goals and collect many points, then we will evaluate."
On the current AC Milan's level:
"In terms of performance, the team has always been ready, both mentally and in terms of organization. The quality of the plays determine the results", declared Pioli.
On Tiémoué Bakayoko:
"The difficulties he had had are due to his physical condition, he arrived with some problems and it took him some time. He also changed his playing principles and it takes some time. I am convinced that he is a very strong player, he was unlucky in some situations, but he did some good performances. He can do better and he will give good support to the team."
On Theo Hernandez:
"He played the best game of the season in terms of application, attention and defensive work. He didn't miss a move. He worked well in the days before the game. In football you can tell many stories, but if you train in a certain way then you play a certain way. Theo has to find this continuity because it has characteristics that are too important for us."
On Sandro Tonali:
"His secret is the work he does every day to improve as well as his talent."
On the goal conceded against AS Roma:
"I think there was an error in the position, but not by Krunic. We work on it, because we know how much some situations can weigh in the course of a championship. We always try to find the best solutions."
On Paolo Zanetti, Venezia's coach:
"He falls into the category of young coaches, but he has precise ideas and clear concepts. A capable coach who is doing well", said Pioli.
The Women's team plays the Super Cup final today...
"We wish them good luck, I heard Maurizio Ganz this morning. We look forward to starting the year in a positive way."
On Ante Rebic:
"I think he is a strong forward, who has quality and aggression and an important physical strength. He did well both as a central striker, we played great games with him as center forward and Leao on the left, but he can also do well starting from the left. Now, he has to find the best condition and he will be an extra weapon for the team."
Some games are postponed, can we speak of false standings?
"This is the season, you have to know how to adapt and respect certain situations. It seems to me that all the European championships have games that are played and others that aren't. We are happy to have played, we are facing a team that has not played. It could be good or bad. We have to put in a solid performance to try to win the game. We respect decisions."
Can Leao reach Mbappé's level?
"He reminds me so much of Thierry Henry. I think he has to convince himself and work hard on his head to try to be ambitious. One with his means must think of reaching the top of the world, but talent alone isn't enough. He has understood that he has to work in a certain way."
Pioli on if Tonali is the strongest player he has coached...
"I think so, Sandro is at a very high level."
On the motivation of the team and the next match vs Venezia:
"The victories give you confidence and awareness, it is right that in certain areas of the field you try to win and play. It doesn't matter what we did the other day, what we do tomorrow counts. The team will be ready."
AC Milan 3 Roma 1: Despite all the absences, Rossoneri starts the new year with crucial three points
