wilAC Milan faces Bologna tomorrow in a fixture valid for Serie A matchday 31. Coach Stefano Pioli has been working hard with his staff and players to be well-organised. The aim, as usual, is to get a win at the San Siro and continue being on top of the table.
The former Inter and Fiorentina boss presented tomorrow's clash to the media by saying the following words:
"The fans give us more energy, that is what we want. The enthusiasm of our fans must give us more motivation and the possibility of playing this match at the best of our strength is a positive thing."
What do you think of Bologna?
"I'm sorry not to be able to challenge Sinisa on the pitch, but he has shown he can overcome these difficulties. And these are also the characteristics of his team. I saw the video call with his team and for this it will be a difficult match."
How are you experiencing this current moment?
"I think Tomori is right, we are living the moment with a positive tension and that he must give his best but with that desire to have fun that allows us to play well."
Is this the peak of your career?
"The high point of my career is yet to come. Tomorrow we challenge a great opponent and they will have a lot of motivation."
He continued:
"Those who worked at Milanello worked well, while those who went to the national team returned well and those who did not go to the World Cup will have the opportunity to redeem themselves. The choices will be technical. Ibra lives with his ailments, but he is fine."
What kind of group did you find?
"They are an attentive, concentrated group: every game is a train that passes in front of you and on which you have to get on to drive it. The next game is always the most important."
Can this break shift the balance of teams?
"I think the difficult matches that every team has to face can do it. We will face teams with great motivation and values. We had no problems during the break, on the contrary: they are all back to health. We will have to put on a high level test."
"Let's finish the season and then see where we will be. It is clear that we do not want to pull back, facing the last few days with great strength and energy. Then we will sum up. If the work is positive, the credit goes to the whole environment"
Do you prefer to play your matches before or after the others?
"Nothing changes. We have to stay focused on what we can determine, which is our game. We will go out on the pitch knowing the results of the others, but that doesn't change our preparation."
Pioli on his doubts before the game:
"I have a doubt in midfield, but I'm calm. The players all feel the possibility of playing, then the initial choices will be important but the substitutions will be just as important."
Will you be watch Juventus-Inter tonight?
"Tonight, I look at it for sure, but very detached. It no longer matters what others do."
Is there someone you expect more from?
"I expect something more from everyone: this is needed to make these last 8 games into a great goal."
Can Ante Rebic play in other roles?
"I don't think attacking midfielder, Ante can play the second striker. On the right it's not an area of the pitch he doesn't like, but he can play them. It's not important to start or enter, but to be decisive within the team", declared Pioli.
Did Theo Hernandez' position with the national team make you think?
"I also followed the matches of the national team. I'm happy for Olivier. As for Theo, the national team adopted the 3-man defense after he arrived. When he plays with Leao and Rebic he must be good at finding space."
Should Milan prepare for the game vs Bologna tactically or mentally?
"I hope it is important on both sides. The matches are prepared tactically, we try to take care of all the details that allow you to remain with an ever higher performance."
Herbert Kilpin said that we always need fear. Is this a motivation for you?
"The ones who are most afraid of losing are the champions, because this is how you prepare best to win games. I know I have a responsible team that is doing everything to keep our performance at a high level."
How did you see the team's training session this week?
"We've all been training together since Friday, I saw an attentive and willing team. Usually, when we train like this, the performance comes."
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