AC Milan's head coach, Stefano Pioli, spoke to different media outlets today in the eve of Napoli - Milan in view of the second leg fixture of the Champions League quarter-finals. Here are his words in today's press conference:
"We are very happy to be here. Counterattacks are part of our characteristics, and we will try to be good at that as well."
On the advantage from the first leg:
"It would be a mistake to think of defending because we have a slight advantage against a team that hasn't lost at home in 12 games and has an average of 3/4 goals scored."
On the possibility of extra time and penalties, Pioli said:
"We have practiced them as always, but I haven't thought about where to put Maignan. Fourth place or the Champions League? It's a three-year journey, evaluations are made at the end of the year. Both teams will be ready for the possible 120 minutes."
On the return of Victor Osimhen from injury:
"We hold players as important as Osimhen in high regard. We have prepared solutions, but we are here to play our game and interpret it with attention and quality."
On Brahim Diaz, Pioli said:
"Brahim is young and has personality. He knows how to handle pressure and is becoming a player of absolute level. Yes, I would like to coach him again."
On Giroud:
"Giroud is doing well. He had a small problem that he has overcome in recent days. We managed it well, and he is ready to play."
Pioli also spoke with Sky Sport Italia and said these words:
On Rafael Leao:
"He's a smart boy and he's doing well at Milan, he's doing well with the fans. He has great potential and can come up with something at any moment. He will have to stay focused throughout the game with a lot of attention. We need to determine the specific situation."
He continued:
"We will find a different atmosphere compared to that of the championship, but in these challenges even the adverse climate can help us. I have a young team, but we have experience and we do not fear these situations. On the contrary, we are pleased to face them."
On how to approach tomorrow's clash, Pioli said:
"Napoli started the game in Milan better. We need to approach it better. We expect an aggressive Napoli, but we want to be aggressive too. I'm sure the game will be very similar and it can change very quickly: we will have to be good at reading the situations. We don't come here to defend ourselves, but when Napoli forces us to do so, we must be compact and then manage the ball well."
He concluded:
"I don't think these games prepare themselves. Maybe I will do something to motivate the team..."
