Stefano Pioli is fired up for a top Serie A clash between Scudetto challengers Milan and Napoli tomorrow.
The two sides currently sit tied at the top of the league table, alongside Atalanta, and tomorrow’s clash could be worth more than just three points should the two remain neck and neck in a title race this season. Both have looked strong and hungry, setting up an exciting game at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
Speaking in a press conference, Pioli first touched on the importance of having the Milan fans’ backing in tomorrow’s game against Napoli.
“The charge of the fans is at its highest level and we’re getting a lot of energy from them, which is what we need to play our football.”
He commented on how much the Rossoneri change without Rafael Leao.
“A difficult match, against an opponent who have all the makings of a great team, they have technique, quality and are well coached.
“Leao? It doesn’t matter who will be missing tomorrow, but the spirit and quality. Saelemaekers is a right winger who can play on the left, can track back and shoot.”
The Milan coach reacted to Roberto Mancini’s decision to leave Davide Calabria out of the Italy squad.
“I’m happy to coach Davide. He is reliable, intelligent. That’s all.”
Pioli discussed the intensity he expects in Milan’s game tomorrow.
“It’ll be very important, I’ll call up 25 players, all available and willing. As the level of the opponents rises, so must the level of our performance.
“We’re ready and prepared to field the best possible squad. I think it’s best, after the Champions League, to face an opponent who has played the Champions League.
“I expect an exciting game, ball after ball, play after play, lots of duels.”
He did not want to spend much time talking about Leao’s absence.
“I don’t want to take anything away from the qualities of my individual players, but we make our way of playing the most important characteristic, it’s clear that the level of the collective enhances the individual. Osimhen? Tomorrow we’ll start 11 vs 11.”
The Rossoneri coach gave his thoughts on Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli.
“Napoli have Spalletti, he always makes his teams play well with a clear and precise identity. The market has allowed him to buy players who are perhaps not so well known, but suitable.”
He spoke about the pros and cons of both teams.
“Spalletti had his preparation and strategy, then tomorrow I’ll say where we were superior or inferior to them.
“We’re two similar teams, manoeuvring, going deep, trying not to be defensively passive. Who is better or worse we’ll see tomorrow.”
Pioli touched on if tomorrow’s game was key in the title race.
“It’s a Scudetto challenge, because the season will be so balanced that three points more or less can make the difference. Not so much because we face Napoli, but because three points can make the difference. Then the season is very long and every match is a Scudetto match.”
He gave his thoughts on his Napoli counterpart Spalletti.
“I respect him a lot, he has always given a proactive imprint to his teams. We’ve met many times, we know each other well.
“In 2006 I went to see his training sessions with Roma. He’s very capable, very good. He’s a top coach in improving players.”
The Milan coach agreed with Paolo Maldini’s suggestion that Leao should stay with Milan instead of leaving for another club in Europe.
“I completely agree. Everything Maldini says. Is the player aware of that? For what he’s showing, absolutely yes, he’s very willing and available, he’s doing everything to the best of his ability.”
He touched on if it’s easier or harder to win the Scudetto this season.
“In my opinion there are more teams equipped to do very well, there is great balance. A lot of small and medium-sized teams have grown and in every single game you have to do a lot to win them.”
Pioli reacted to the suggestion that Milan have conceded too many goals at this stage of the season.
“We’re not happy with the goals conceded when we are in clear numerical superiority, like the one with Dinamo. They have been much analysed.
“The more the level rises, the more we have to be careful, it only takes half a metre to concede goals. Tomorrow the level rises and the attention will have to be at the maximum.”
He spoke about if he’ll change the formation to accommodate the absence of Leao.
“I have decided and we have tried it. It’s not the absence of a player that would make us change a balanced and always proactive way of being on the pitch.
“Leao has certain characteristics, Saelemaekers has other characteristics and we will exploit them.”
The Milan coach did not want to comment on Massimiliano Allegri’s complaints about an injury crisis.
“Certain moments can happen, I don’t allow myself to judge the words of others. We always try to be on the pitch with our characteristics.”
Pioli spoke about the adaption of new arrival Yacine Adli.
“No one is struggling. I am very happy with Yacine, also with Thiaw, with Dest and with Vranckx…. It’s clear that they don’t have to be in a hurry, I’m not in a hurry.
“It takes the right amount of time to understand certain things and they are doing whatever it takes to convince me that I’m ready. I’m sure they will soon.”
He explained the usage of Alexis Saelemaekers to replace Leao.
“Preparing a match is putting costs and benefits on the table at a strategic level. Then you choose players best suited to play the type of match you have decided on.
“The team knows well what we want to do. I try to be as lucid and energetic as possible because the team likes a coach like that.”
Finally, Pioli commented on how Milan can stop Napoli’s attacks.
“We must. Against Liverpool they knew they would keep their line very high and took advantage of it, but they also know how to dribble or go into 1-on-1s.
“Tomorrow we will need a right, correct and compact defensive phase, it is a goal that can give us many advantages.”
I wouldn’t field Alexis on the left. I would play Theo is Leao’s position and use Dest as left full back. But whatever Pioli decides, I hope it works. Leao’s absence will be felt and the whole team will have to come together to compensate.