Stefano Pioli will field ‘many offensive players’ against Liverpool and believes that coping with their pressing will be the key to winning the game.
Tomorrow, the Rossoneri host Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at San Siro in their last Champions League group stage game.
The Rossoneri must win and hope Atletico Madrid and Porto draw at the Estadio Do Dragao to book their place for the last 16 stage.
“We played many important games before, and there will be more in the future, we have prepared every detail for this match,” Pioli ensured during his pre-match press conference.
“Milan must be strong because we’ll face a team that can win the Champions League.”
The Serie A giants will be without several key players, especially in attack.
Ante Rebic and Olivier Giroud missed the last few games and Rafael Leao has joined them on the sidelines with an adductor injury sustained against Salernitana over the weekend.
Samu Castillejo and Pietro Pellegri are also out of action, although they are not regular starters.
“Zlatan is not the only striker we have, the more we are unpredictable, the more trouble we can create,” said Pioli.
“We are ready, the fans will be there to motivate us. There are all the conditions to do well.
“We are working on muscle injuries, we are playing many games and this could be a motivation.
“We must grit our teeth and get the maximum that we can until December 22. Then the situation will improve.”
The Reds beat the Rossoneri 3-2 in the reverse fixture, so how can Milan take all three points this time?
“Liverpool will press high up the pitch, but we know them well and if we get out of their press, we can create important opportunities,” explained Pioli.
“We must have many offensive players without giving them any reference point. Krunic, Diaz, Messias have the qualities to play between the lines and attack the space.
“Imagine a defensive line that doesn’t know who to mark. That’s a situation that we must use.
“It’s useful to play these games. We’ll need sacrifice and commitment.”
Anything can happen tomorrow. The Rossoneri, who can qualify for the Champions League last 16, be eliminated from Europe or finish third and play in the Europa League from February.
“Milan must be competitive in Italy and Europe,” said Pioli.
“We’ll play in Europa League in the best way if we finish third, but what matters now is tomorrow. We want to face one of the best teams in the world to understand our level.”
If we want to play with many attacking players then Saelemaekers – Diaz – Messias behind Zlatan. Krunic on the bench.
100% @Milan Fan, with you totally.
Was pitching that same 3 up front to a friend earlier…we need to win so go all out! Kessie and Tonali will shore up, do the dirty work and bring balance behind that front 4. Set them free.
Krunic can come on later to replace either one of those 3 behind Ibra to bring some more solidity if we’re leading and the clock is ticking.
Forza Milan!
I feel its everything can be fine, just need to not wait and take the lead, and keep temlpo all 90 minutes, just not pull back when leading 1 goal because we will be punished at 93rd minute deffinetly and italians should know about such disasters very clearly, its big luck that they keeped net clean against atleti in 93rd minute last game, I thought they still will give it up, but now need to avoid this disaster until end. Let go Milan!
True! But those guys can’t all go for 90 min…at some point Krunic will have to come on to freshen things up. And yes, that will change the team dynamic and playing style.
We need luck tomorrow…
Thanks for your support Juventini!
Pioli talking about being unpredictable. I can see him playing Krunic or Diaz as a false 9 with Ibra coming on for the last 30 mins.
I am not italian, but I am Azzuri fan from my childhood 1994 immediatly after baggio miss, and Juventini from 1996… And never felt any big confrontation between Juve and other italian teams, always support italian teams in european cups…
For me…any chance for us vs Liverpool in this match will depend on our ability to neutralize Fabinho. For me, he was the difference maker last match. Totally outclassed our midfield. Kessie, Bennacer, Tonali all need to step up.
He will pull Ibra a little back and make him more of a playmaker, a lot more than usual. He has done it before and failed Miserably, like vs Porto.
Any news about Rebic? How long we hv to cope without him.
He almost beat Liverpool by himself in England