The AC Milan head coach, Stefano Pioli, has spoken to several journalists in a press conference today:
"I am part of a very important match: this double clash against PSG will be crucial, and I hope it won't be decisive, because I believe and hope that this group will be decided on the last day."
Pioli added:
"I would like to review everything because we played two matches at a Champions level, but football is strange... We didn't even score a goal, and that's very strange. I believe that tomorrow we will have far fewer chances, but maybe with 4 shots on target, we'll score 5 goals. Luis Enrique is doing an incredible job: before, PSG relied on great champions, now they work more as a team with great champions. We are AC Milan; we want to play with our heads held high."
On Tommaso Pobega
"Pobega has certain characteristics: if I were to think that tomorrow his characteristics will be more needed, he will start the game."
PSG is very offensive... Pioli said:
"Luis Enrique, however, plays with 4 offensive players: it could be risky both to wait for them and to go after them. The important thing is to do things together, with the same idea, with the right timing, knowing that we could also, once we've bypassed the initial pressure, be dangerous."
How is Olivier Giroud?
"He is a great player and a man of great stature. He has helped the team grow, with goals, with his example, with professionalism, with work in every single training session."
How do you defend against Kylian Mbappé?
"He has incredible movement and speed. Whoever is in his area will need to be very attentive and prepared to try to anticipate his movement; the more we make him work for the ball, the more we will limit him."
Do you hope that Rafael Leao performs 'à la Mbappé'? Pioli said:
"I hope Giroud or any of my players can score. Leao needs to do his best, like Pulisic or anyone else."
Controversy regarding Rafael Leao?
"I won't answer."
How are Noah Okafor and Ruben Loftus-Cheek?
"Okafor will definitely need to be recovered for Napoli. Loftus-Cheek is a bit better, but I don't know if he will be there in Naples. We will eventually change something, even positions if necessary."
How do you cure the attack's illness? Pioli commented:
"We need to score more for what we are creating, especially in the Champions League. We have to make the most of the first or second chance that comes up, at this level you have to do it this way."
(Photo by Bernd Thissen/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Should Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic shoot on target more?
"Of course, they should try to aim for the goal more. The problem arises when we don't have enough players near them: if they get double-teamed, it becomes harder to take a shot. Against Juventus, we were too low, but tomorrow will be a completely different game."
It will be the first time against Gianluigi Donnarumma... Pioli said:
"I've seen Gigio with the Italy National Team, I've embraced him, and we exchange messages occasionally. With us, he gave his all until the last day: tomorrow we will greet him."
Have you reviewed the match against Newcastle United?
"It's unlikely that if they played again, the same result would come out. PSG had clear chances to take the lead, but football is unpredictable. Of course, we watched it, and of course, we took some ideas from it."
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