Milan director Ricky Massara promised to build an ‘even more competitive’ team with Stefano Pioli, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s situation will have to wait.

The Rossoneri host Atalanta at 20.45 UK time (19.45 GMT), click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.

This is the first match since it was announced that Pioli would extend his contract, shelving the planned Ralf Rangnick project.

Milan director Ricky Massara promised to build an ‘even more competitive’ team with Stefano Pioli, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s situation will have to wait.

The Rossoneri host Atalanta at 20.45 UK time (19.45 GMT), click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.

This is the first match since it was announced that Pioli would extend his contract, shelving the planned Ralf Rangnick project.

“We always believed in the coach and he’s done an excellent job, giving the team an identity, entertaining football, helping players to grow, but also getting victories,” the director of sport told Sky Sport Italia.

“The team has grown exponentially since the lockdown, so it’s a thoroughly deserved contract. We’ll discuss with the coach where and how to improve the team. We’ve already made a few evaluations, but it’s early. We will focus on our current players and see what happens.”

There were reports Rangnick would’ve been given at least €70m on the transfer market to build a team suited to his vision. Will Pioli get the same budget?

“We are convinced that we can put together an even more competitive squad. We started the process in a financially complicated situation last year, so we have great confidence that we can make the investments that Milan need.”

Ibrahimovic has not yet decided his future beyond the end of this season, so has the situation changed since the Pioli news?

“We have a game every couple of days, so when we’ve got time, we will sit down and talk seriously. As I’ve already said, we’ll discuss it with him. Ibra is a champion, he’s beyond dispute giving the team so much.”

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