AC Milan's gaffer, Stefano Pioli, presented the fixture that sees his side visiting Salernitana to the media in a press conference today. Here are his words:
"Tomorrow there will be more unknowns given the change of the Salernitana coach. We have been thinking above all of us this week. We know the characteristics of their players, it is a different team than the first leg, so it will be a match to be faced with attention and concentration."
What changed for the Rossoneri since the derby victory?
"Every game has a particular interpretation. We have understood that if we play continuously and stay in every clash we have the right cards to win. In every match we have to put our principles of the game."
How do you choose between Franck Kessié and Brahim Diaz as your attacking midfielder?
"They have different characteristics. When chosen, I look first at the physical condition and then I also look at what kind of match we have to play."
On Zlatan Ibrahimovic's condition:
"He is better, I believe that between tomorrow and Sunday he will return to running. Then we will evaluate day after day, we will see when he can return to the group."
Pioli on the desire to win the Scudetto:
"We just have to think about giving our best and only the best. We need great conviction in what we do. I see a lot of confidence and concentration in my players. We know the season is long and we will have to push hard."
On tomorrow's difficulties against Salernitana:
"We have prepared well even if we don't know how they will play after the change of coach. But we are ready, the fundamental thing is the approach and the quality of the choices we will make."
On Ante Rebic's condition:
"He is better, even the minutes with Sampdoria helped him. He entered well, he lacked a winning game. He is an important player for us."
On Franck Kessié:
"I saw Franck calm. The situation is positive. The whole group is compact, we know we have to give our best. There are no problems."
Pioli added:
"After Salernitana we will have three games in 10 days, there will be room for everyone. The important thing is that everyone is well, then I will make the choices."
On finding consistency, especially against the lower ranked teams:
"You must win many games. It doesn't matter who you face. Let's think about tomorrow's match."
Inter's loss in the Champions League against Liverpool confirmed the gap between Serie A and Premier League clubs:
"Inter have shown that they are close to one of the best English teams. The distance is there because the economic difference is large and therefore they can make big investments. The English are the strongest. However, Italian clubs are growing well."
How important is it to have a competitive group?
"For a coach, the fundamental thing is to have the availability of all the players. At Milan there is a desire to put myself in difficulty in training. We must insist on this if we want to stay on top", declared Pioli.
On the fitness level of Junior Messias:
"All my players are doing well. I expect a lot from Messias. it can be even more decisive. He is doing well."
What is the difference between Ismael Bennacer and Franck Kessié:
"They are complete midfielders who can do both phases well. Bennacer is very explosive, Kessie is more physical. They are two complete and quality players."
On Marko Lazetic's physical condition:
"He's back in condition, he needs a customised (training) session. I think he still needs 7-10 days to get within the group. He has important characteristics."
There are some who underestimate the Rossoneri's results...
"I respect all opinions. We must find our own awareness and our qualities from ourselves and not from the opinions of others."
Is this the defining moment of the season for you?
"There are still many games to go. Each match has an important specific weight, we will all try to win as many fixtures as possible."
Pioli on Mike Maignan:
"I'm not surprised. From day one, he has shown that he is very curious and eager to work. He has a great personality, we need players and people like him in such a young group."
On scoring fewer goals from the corner kicks:
"We have to improve, whoever has to kick must do it with more quality and whoever is in the area must improve the timing."
On Salernitana's Diego Perotti and Franck Ribery:
"They have always been decisive players, they will have to be controlled well."
How does having a full squad at your disposal affect the week of preparation?
"That raises the bar, the intensity of our work and the quality."
Pioli on the secret of staying focused:
"We have to give our best. We will need the right approach and we will have to make the right decisions during the match. We will have to be good at interpreting all game situations."
How do you feel with AC Milan being first in the league table?
"Before matches, I am always worried. I always want to encourage my players to give their all, then we'll see what happens."
Are AC Milan among the best 16 teams in Europe?
"No, because we were not able to pass the Champions League group stage. Today, we are stronger than back then. I would have liked to replay certain games now. We have to keep growing, the important thing is to return to the Champions League next year."
On believing in the Scudetto race:
"We think we will do our best to win the next match: it is our only thought", said Pioli, "Clearly we want to win them all to improve last year's final classification."
