AC Milan's head coach, Stefano Pioli, spoke to Milan TV about the second part of the season which will start in the month of January:
"This moment to train and be together was an opportunity to meet again after a break of 17-18 days. We are working well, aware of what awaits us in the new year, we are very concentrated and attentive in taking care of all situations because in January we will have many important appointments and it is true that with this camp we close a very important 2022, but we don't want to stop because the season must see us protagonists on many fronts."
On the Champions League:
"A goal that we feel is very motivating and stimulating, clearly difficult but that's the way it is for those who reach this level. There's still time before facing Tottenham, now it's good to conclude this preparation with great attention and lucidity. We'll play each other on the 23rd and 30th in Eindhoven to refine our preparation and present ourselves in the best possible way for the away game in Salerno because we all know how important it will be to get the championship back on the right foot."
Pioli on how he sees the next part of the season:
"I see all the possibilities to be competitive at a high level, we won the Scudetto, we understood how nice it is to win but also how much work we have to work to get to these victories, we have a different awareness, we have the willingness and determination to try to improve our level of play and performance, both individually and as a team. We worked well at Milanello, then here too; the high-level friendlies we've played with more prepared opponents have already given us the pace and indications we're working on: we're focusing on a couple of precise tactical situations. We have to be ready for January 4th."
He added:
"We must be aware of what we have managed to create and we must feel responsible in trying to consolidate even more what it means to work together, represent such an important club and stay united. I am very attentive to the statements that my players are making and they are in that direction: if one is sick we are all sick and we all try to help him, this must be our life and our daily life. Each of us must feel responsible so that this thing can continue and grow."
Pioli on if he would have liked to play in this Milan team:
"Yes, it's nice to see them. We have a group that couldn't be more varied, from all over the world and from different cultures. Seeing them so compact, eager to help each other and to collaborate. We have to be aware of the luck we have, even if maybe it wasn't luck but it was the environment that brought us to this level, but it doesn't happen so much to find a certain environment, both as a player and as a coach. We must continue to work well."
On the break:
"Strange yes, but the days of vacation were stranger: we are not used to staying at home doing nothing in this period. I liked the situations better than before: working until Christmas and then there was a break for a couple of weeks. We tried to deal with it as best we could. Obviously, for those who have been to the World Cup, development and condition must be seen: at the moment everyone is back well, we are just waiting for Leao, Oli and Theo."
On Theo Hernandez and Olivier Giroud:
" was rooting for them. They worked hard, they had a great tournament with great performances and proving to be great players, which we knew. Then when you get there… the finals are finals, but they will come back charged and motivated and aware that they have fully demonstrated their qualities."
A new song for Milan?
"I'd like it to be: 'Mi fido di te' by 'Jovanotti'."
