Speaking to the media, AC Milan boss, Stefano Pioli, presented tomorrow's fixture in the Europa League quarter final first leg against Roma at the San Siro. He said these words:
"It doesn't make that much of a difference. We've been used to playing the first leg at home in this Europa League. Against Rennes and Slavia, we did well to take a good advantage, and the goal is the same for tomorrow's match. The game will last 180 minutes, so we absolutely can't close the discussion tomorrow, but taking a little more than our opponents would be very important."
How does Roma change with De Rossi? Does your position in the league help you manage your strengths? Pioli responded:
"I think tomorrow evening De Rossi will field the best lineup to do very well. It's a very important goal for us and for them. We know each other well; they're coming off a derby win and have only lost to Inter under De Rossi's management. We're not thinking about Sassuolo or the league at all, but about tomorrow's match, and they will too. Roma has changed in defensive and offensive positions. We haven't revisited league matches but have focused only on the games where De Rossi was already involved."
This Milan, as Bennacer said, is stronger than the Scudetto year?
"In my opinion, Isma used a term that I consider more accurate: it's a different Milan. Many players have changed, the approach has changed, the way of playing has changed. That was a Milan that achieved an incredible victory, this is a Milan trying to return to winning ways. We're in a good moment, but now comes the most important part of the season that will determine end-of-season evaluations, what we've achieved, our path in both positive and negative aspects. This is the moment when we have to show our strength, show that the journey we've had, with its ups and downs, has improved us. It depends on us."
Is Roma now more of a team? What matters more on these nights, the European mentality or being a team?
"Being a team always matters much more than anything else. I believe De Rossi is doing a great job; the most important thing for a coach is to be credible, to be followed by the team, and to have the team's full availability of attitude. This is evident in Roma. It wasn't easy to overcome a team that defended with many players when Mourinho was there; tomorrow, we'll probably face a different opponent with different characteristics. We've struggled against both closed teams and aggressive teams; honestly, I don't know what choices De Rossi will make. Many teams before facing Milan adopt a strategy, but when they face Milan, knowing the qualities of our offensive players, they interpret it differently. We know Roma and its important players, but we don't know what we'll find tomorrow. We are prepared and mature to immediately understand what they will concede to us to exploit our characteristics and their attitudes."
What would you be willing to risk to give the audience a spectacle like what happened in Real Madrid-Manchester City?
"We always take risks for how we want to play; we are a team dedicated to offensive football. As long as we have the ball, we will try to put pressure on the opponent, and when we don't have the ball, we will try to retrieve it as soon as possible. If you want to be an offensive team that showcases its technical potential, you have to take some risks; you inevitably concede some space when you lose possession. I believe that tomorrow, two teams will face each other with a mentality that should provide visually pleasing football, with quality players capable of scoring spectacular goals like those last night."
What kind of game does your Milan need to reach the level of Real Madrid and Man City?
"We reached the semifinals last year, which means we were there. Then we couldn't make it because we arrived at that moment not in the best possible condition, as we encountered a group that was superior in those two matches. I don't think we are far off. The Europa League is below the Champions League, but from now on, there are great teams. No one would be surprised if we, Liverpool, or Bayer played in the Champions League; our group is the only one with two teams in the quarterfinals. We lacked that little push. But now we have an important objective. We can play modern football, with pace, intensity, positioning, and individual skills."
What changes without Fikayo Tomori? Pioli answered
"Fik has characteristics of great speed and aggressiveness, which others have less of, but we will try to deploy qualities that can adapt well to Roma's attackers. Thiaw and Kjaer are both in good shape at the moment, so I will choose based on the opponent."
What should Milan avoid doing tomorrow?
"We have to play the whole game with minute-by-minute attention."
