Head coach of AC Milan, Stefano Pioli, spoke to the media today on the eve of Lecce - Milan. Here are his words during the press conference:
"I see a great determination and will in the eyes of my players. In the last two games, we haven't achieved the results we wanted, we all have to do better, but I saw the desire to learn from mistakes."
On the injured players:
"The group is strong when it's complete. The more we are, the stronger we are. People like Ibra, Kjaer and Florenzi are not only strong on the pitch, but they are also leaders. Origi and Kjaer are recovered for tomorrow, Rebic could recover for the Super cup (vs Inter). I hope to have the others back soon because we need everyone."
Pioli on his decision to bring all the players to Milanello after the loss vs Torino:
"When there's something wrong, I struggle to wait for the next day. I preferred to speak to my players immediately to explain what to do best and to let everyone rest well. We played well against Roma, a fair match against Torino until the 70th. It's not a question of second lineups, but of attention and will. With Torino we made 36 shots towards goal, only 8 on target. We lacked lucidity. At times we were too frantic. We have to do better starting from tomorrow (vs Lecce) also in view of the Super Cup match."
How is Aster Vranckx?
"He has excellent qualities, he's fitting in well and will find his space. I always try to field the best formation."
Pioli, is there a lack of hunger in your players now?
"No, I think it's a matter of lucidity. We know that if we want to win something again this year we have to raise our level."
On Yacine Adli who is not playing much:
"He's training well, he's very available. I make choices based on the various matches. He was penalized because there's great competition in his role, there are no problems in his adaptation."
Paolo Maldini said that the market is closed, do you not need a new signing?
"I knew about the situation and remain convinced that our only problem is not having the full team in every department. There is no need to intervene (in the market)."
On Tiémoué Bakayoko's situation:
"I don't know right now, there's no news. He's a great professional because he's always training at his best."
Pioli on the next two games for AC Milan (Lecce in Serie A and then Inter for the Supercoppa Italiana):
"I think it's normal that there is a more critical eye towards us because we won the Scudetto and we played good football. We are the first to always want to do better. The criticisms are after the last two games because we didn't win. The season is long, it won't even end tonight after Napoli-Juventus. The Super Cup is an important goal for us. The championship is still long, let's not forget how many points we had in mid-February. In terms of points, we want to do better than the year last."
What did you hang at Milanello this season?
"Big goals are achieved through small passes. After Roma, we ranked with last year's first leg when we scored 42 points."
How was Charles De Ketelaere as a striker:
"He played a good game as a centre-forward, then when there were fewer spaces he struggled more."
On the latest team performances:
"Against Roma, we played a good game until the 85th minute. Against Turin, I didn't see a bad performance until we had one more player... The 3 or 4-man defence is not decisive. As far as I'm concerned, it's important to field a team with a clear strategy and tactical ideas."
Pioli on Ismael Bennacer's renewal:
"He deserves the renewal. He is very ambitious and humble because he knows he can improve further. The work the club is doing is important, I'm happy with all the renewals. I hope that more positive news will arrive soon."
Can Sergino Dest play higher up the pitch?
"Against Turin, he played a good game. I told him his problem is his head, he must remain concentrated and that he must work every day because he has important characteristics. I don't think starting high already is good for him. He has great intensity."
Who is the favourite tonight between Luciano Spalletti and Massimiliano Allegri?
"They're two Tuscans who really like to take it out on each other. One says the other is the favourite. Right now, it's clear that Napoli are the favourites. 7 points are a lot, but not decisive. I will enjoy the match: on the one hand there is the brilliance of Napoli and on the other the concreteness of Juve."
Pioli on what kind of game it will be against Lecce tomorrow:
"Lecce is very confident, they deservedly won against Lazio. They are fine, they will create difficulties for us."
On Lorenzo Colombo's growth at Lecce:
"He's doing very well, he's showing great improvements and Milan are watching him with great attention."
