Stefano Pioli admits the 2022-23 campaign will be more complicated due to the Qatar World Cup, although the competition could also help some of his players.
European clubs are dealing with one of the strangest seasons ever as they’ll play more than 20 games in the first three months ahead of the start of the World Cup in November.
During a pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Serie A opener against Udinese, Pioli shared his view on the competition and how Milan have prepared for 2022-23.
“It will be a strange season, the World Cup at that time of the year creates some problems, but I am curious to face this season,” he said.
“I think it could be a favourable situation for those who won’t be involved in the World Cup. We’ll need to manage those playing and understand how to make them recover.
“This morning, I showed the lads the fixture list for the first part of the season,” Pioli revealed. “We’ll need big efforts, it’s a particular season, and there is a lot to play for in the first three months,
“We’ve done everything we had planned during the pre-season. The lads have worked with continuity, we are ready to start.
“It will be a balanced campaign, and it will be difficult for everyone to do better than last season. The top seven clubs are strong, Fiorentina are getting closer to a high level. It’s a very competitive league, with many clubs who want to win.”