Stefano Pioli, coach of AC Milan who just led his team through a difficult derby victory, spoke to Rai Radio Uno. Here are his words:
"Our win versus Inter? We never stopped believing in it. It was a more balanced game than it is said, the numbers of the match also say so. We did well to stay inside the game."
On the relationship with the players:
"The relationship between the coach and the players is fundamental. I try to create a relationship of trust to try to get the most out of all my players."
On the referees:
"It is the referee who decides how to interpret the game, then it is the players who have to get used to the referee's way of refereeing. We are back in the Champions League and certain fouls are not whistled there. I am in favour of this way of refereeing."
On the importance of relying on numbers and match data:
"We have algorithms that make us understand the physical and technical efficiency of the players during the match. Obviously the coach's eye is still fundamental, but these data help us to do our job better. That's certainly added value to us. When I started coaching, I only had two collaborators, now I have 12. Things have changed."
Stefano Pioli also discusses Mike Maignan's qualities and performances:
"He didn't surprise me. We faced him with Lille and there he impressed us a lot. We had him followed by our scouts. He's a guy who puts everything on the pitch. He's a very strong goalkeeper. He is in the national team, too. He's a high-level player."
On the next Serie A games:
"We have to show that we are a mature team. The victory in the derby must give us enthusiasm. All the matches in Italy are difficult, especially in the second round. On Sunday we will have Sampdoria who won well against Sassuolo. We will need a great performance. However, now, we are focused on the cup competition. Once the Lazio game is over, we'll think about Serie A."
He added:
"Having continuity helps you stay at the top. But we must not forget the path we are taking. If we are in this position in the standings, it means that we have not had great ups and downs. Let's play proactive football."
On the invasion of the field in the derby by a fan:
"These are things that should not be done and had to be stopped."
On injuries:
"We didn't suffer more than the others, but we suffered them all together at the beginning of November. Unfortunately we paid for all these injuries."
On Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
"The season is still long. Unfortunately he is stopped now, but he remains a great player and an important resource for us. He is doing everything to get back on the pitch. For us he will never be a burden, but an important resource. He has made the team grow a lot", said Pioli.
On Franck Kessié:
"He can play in many roles. On Saturday I put him in the attacking midfield area to limit Brozovic. In the defensive phase he did well, while in the offensive phase we did not have a fluid maneuver. Diaz entered well. We needed more brilliance there and he brought it. Kessie is a professional, we'll see what happens with the contract."
On his future with Milan:
"At Milan I feel good, I have a great relationship with the club. I could stay at Milan forever, then I know that football is full of unexpected events and dynamics, but I feel really good here."
On VAR:
"A few years ago everyone was in favor of the VAR. It is impossible to completely remove the error, the referees are doing their best to make as little mistakes as possible."
On his celebration after Giroud's second goal:
"It took me a while to get to my players. The important thing is to have arrived (laughs). I am a very emotional person, I live in everything and for everything with my players, it was right to go celebrate with them."
Pioli on the Scudetto race:
"There are still no recoveries, so the standings still need to be updated. All the top teams in the standings are fighting for everything, including the Scudetto. There are still many games. Inter and Juve for me are the strongest teams in the Serie A now."
