AC Milan's coach Stefano Pioli has done a lot of good so far with the red and black faithful. But, credit must also be shared with his coaching staff as well who are also hard at work. It is time to focus on his assistant, Giacomo Murelli who spoke to the club's official channel. Here are his words:
"My relationship with Pioli? Pioli and I have known each other since we were 14-15 years old. We started our football career in Parma, our city and we started our first professional championship together in 1982 right at Parma."
On his past as a football player:
"I changed a few teams as a player, many more as a coach. I played in Avellino when they were in Serie A. I also played then in Taranto and Padua. In recent years I have played in amateurs at Suzzara so as not to miss anything."
On working with Stefano Pioli:
"We started together with Modena in 2004 and we have continued from there. We have been collaborating together for 17-18 years. Off the pitch, the days are endless. We often go out for dinner with our respective spouses, we try to talk about something else but often almost always we talk about football on the way from the restaurant to home."
On his role in the club:
"Stefano really likes interacting with the guys, he wants honest relationships but he is sensitive in other situations.In some situations, however, the player makes certain things arrive through me or other figures. Now over the years I have understood what to say and what not, I try to smooth out all the situations. Some things are right to say, others maybe the coach doesn't even want to know."
Murelli on the changes in the derby:
"Now you always start with a formation and then having 5 changes, you take advantage of that. The games change according to what happens during them. Changes can change the matches and that's what it is. That's what happened the other day (in the derby). Brahim came in at the right moment because there was a need for a faster and more agile player."
He added:
"It was a great victory and a great satisfaction that can allow us to continue our growth path. We know where we started, we know that we have a competitive team but the competition is fierce. Winning against the strongest team in the league gives us great incentives to continue."
On the reaction of Milan - Spezia fixture:
"After that match, we sent a message to the team. Stefano doesn't like to complain, he thinks about the next matches. What happened with Spezia is there for everyone to see, we threw ourselves on to the next one and we only thought about the next challenges."
On Ante Rebic:
"Rebic is a very important player for us, he is solving the physical problems he has and we hope he will be available this Wednesday (against Lazio). Ante makes the difference, he is one who makes you win games", said Murelli.
"Nothing is taken for granted. We will face one match at a time and not having the midweek commitment will allow us to better prepare. We will see if it will be an advantage."
On the goal conceded in the derby:
"In every situation there are pros and cons, both in man and zone marking. Lately this strategy has given us satisfaction but it has also put us in difficulty. Kalulu in the goal was badly positioned and did not detach as he should. With the video analysts, we try to study every situation. Perisic found himself free because we were too crushed with the front line. In these cases the directives of Maignan who must position the defense are of fundamental importance."
Murelli on the improvement of Pioli and the coaching staff over the years:
"Surely, Stefano and all the staff has improved over the years. We are not the same as 15 years ago, our experiences lead us to improve and propose ourselves in the right way. At Milan it is the third year, having lived certain vicissitudes led to certain choices. There is a great relationship with the management, Stefano feels very much inside the project and this leads to excellent results."
