AC Milan head coach, Stefano Pioli, has spoken to the microphones of DAZN to discuss the victory of his team against their bitter rivals Inter in the Derby della Madonnina at the San Siro:
"An important match, it is a direct match, there is a great rivalry. The opponents wanted to prove they were superior for many reasons. I liked the team for 70 minutes very well and then we relaxed a bit. But, the guys never cease to amaze me, I'm a happy coach."
Pioli is now happy again after the Sassuolo goalless draw...
"We were good at reading the game, Inter didn't attack us and we dribbled. We wanted to open more to the left, sometimes we did. I like it when we lead the game, but it's hard to do it for 95 minutes. We had great determination and certain 'nastiness'."
Next, it will be time for Champions League football against RB Salzburg...
"I'm sure we have grown a lot, also thanks to the experience of last year's group. The Champions League requires a high level. The team and I have seen Salzburg, they are a very dangerous team. We have to be prepared, we will probably do different things than the derby. We will find a different team, but our mentality is important. I think today Inter expected us to go higher to take them on, we were compact and we didn't give much."
Pioli on Rafael Leao:
"To improve you need talent and intelligence, he has both. Young people must be given time and also the possibility of making mistakes. We try to put him in the best conditions, he is an important weapon for the team. He has a way of doing things, but he's a smart guy. He wants to improve. He must not be satisfied, he must aim high."
On Mike Maignan's performance:
"If the team surprises me, Mike no longer surprises me. He has an incredible depth as a person and as a goalkeeper. We have many high-level players, he is one of them."
Pioli concludes:
"I like the energy and sharing with the Rossoneri people, we feel it and we try to put everything we have on the pitch. Often we succeed, sometimes it happens to make mistakes too."
