Stefano Pioli spoke at the end of the match won 5-1 against Cagliari to Sky's microphones:
On returning to success after 6 matches:
"We're not used to not winning for a long period in recent years. It's clear that after being eliminated from the Europa League and losing the derby, we had a difficult, delicate moment, and we suffered from this situation. Winning this match, improving the standings, was very important. The boys did well, they played a game of attention and sacrifice."
On Rafael Leao's reaction, who came on during the game:
"You journalists and even the players always perceive the coach's choices as a penalty. It's not like that, I had to do something. It has been a challenging, tough season, and someone is less brilliant. It's not an exclusion that can change my opinion about the players I coach. I thought it was the right thing and they reacted the way I expected."
Milan is second, but with a clear distance from Inter:
"No team has managed to maintain the incredible level of performance and points that Inter has achieved. We couldn't have the consistency needed to stay close, but this is a strong team, who tried but couldn't overcome the decisive moments at a certain point in the season, and there we lost confidence, certainties. But anyway, we have done the championship thoroughly, but the others have been much stronger than everyone, not just us."
Have you felt alone in these weeks? Pioli answered:
"No. I have a very good relationship with my directors. I had it with Paolo and Ricky who brought me to Milan, as I had it this year with all the others. I have a very good relationship, we are a great club, and there is great expectation. There have been criticisms, even harsh ones, but it's part of this job. You either accept it or do something else, I accepted it and I move on trying to help the team play the best football possible. Sometimes we succeeded, but surely I must have made mistakes at other times."
If individual qualities were missing in the games that mattered...
"I believe that in the path we have taken at Milan, we have always worked, thought, and played as a team. Against Roma, we played very ordinary games and the level was higher. We didn't manage to interpret the game at best, it's not some individuals' faults. Of course, these challenges were an important step, but without going too far back, we threw away the Champions League qualification because we played some excellent games without being able to win. In Europe, we remain with too little in hand for our qualities."
On the fans' protests and strike:
"I'm very sorry about this situation. One thing we're proud of is having created this symbiosis that has transmitted positivity and confidence to us, and I hope for Milan's future things can be resolved, but surely it will be like that."
Against Salernitana, last match for you with Milan? Pioli commented:
"I haven't talked to the club yet, we have two games left and the season is not over yet. Then I hope that the Milan environment will regain that enthusiasm for overcoming difficult moments and achieving extraordinary goals that no one imagined."
Rafael Leao had the name "Conceiçao" tonight on the back of his shirt. Is that why you left him on the bench?
"I didn't know that (laughs). This also is part of the role. I repeat, I haven't met with the club yet, and I believe we will do it before the end of the championship or as soon as the championship is over. We'll see."
