Milan coach Stefano Pioli confirms Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ante Rebic will miss tomorrow’s derby, while Fikaio Tomori will be available.
The Rossoneri will face Inter at 17.00 UK time tomorrow. They sit four points behind Simone Inzaghi’s side, who also has a hand game.
“We must also take into account the characteristics of the opponents. It is important. We will never distort our way of playing and tomorrow makes no exception,” Pioli said at a press conference.
“We are fighting up there. Whether it’s for the title or the Champions League, we are competitive again. We played a great game against Juventus, but we lacked quality in the final third. That’s what we need tomorrow. It’s a crucial game and we want to win it.
“Neither Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] nor Ante [Rebic] will be available, Tomori made great work and I think he will be with the team, although he may not start. Olivier Giroud is an important player and he is ready.
“We are sorry that Ibra won’t be there. We’ve improved a lot thanks to him, but now we must prove to be strong also without him. We must have the strength of will, especially in tough moments.”
It will be Pioli’s first Milan derby without Ibrahimovic. Are Inter the favourite to win the game?
“They are doing something extraordinary, but I know we have a strong and united team, with motivated players,” the Rossoneri coach said.
“There will be many duels and the team that wins the most of them will have more chances. We must be more motivated than them. It’s an important game for so many reasons.”
Does Pioli expect more from Theo Hernandez in big games?
“He has already improved a lot. He was very good defensively in the last few games. He can reach the top and he can be decisive. He has the characteristics to shine tomorrow.”
Many Milan fans have been complaining about the January transfer window. The Rossoneri only signed 18-year-old striker Marko Lazetic from Red Star, ending Pietro Pellegri’s loan.
However, Pioli is happy with his team and believes Lazetic can help the team.
“I know my players’ qualities, they must feel strong. We didn’t have a chance to sign a player who could improve the level of our team and we believe in our players. It was a shared decision.
“Those who believe in what they do must be strong also during tough times. I am sure that we have a competitive team and we want to remain up there.
“Lazetic has a nice face. I think he has a strong character. He has physical strength and good technique. He will be with us tomorrow to understand what Italian football is about.”
Franck Kessié will likely play his last derby in a Rossoneri shirt and returned from AFCON duty this week. What dos Pioli expect from him?
“He feels weel, he was a little late on Monday, but I saw him well. He feels ok, physically and mentally. I expect an important performance from him. He is a strong player,” Pioli concluded.
I’m glad we didn’t spend money on a CB this January, and would only see one come in this summer to replace Romagnoli, not two as has been mentioned. This is because we basically have an emergency in attack and need to spend real money there. Our no. 1 striker is available for like 50% of the games and his backup is old and slow. Then the backup’s backup is 18 and has played like 2 minutes of first team football in a minor league. Clubs looking to win things have real goals scorers who are almost always playing, Exhibits A and B are Inter and Juventus. Inter with two able target men has been the top team this season and last. Juve lost Ronaldo and they struggle for goals and to challenge. Now this will change with Vlahovic. Milan needs a goalscorer who can play 90% of the games next season at all costs. Finally a productive AMC is also needed.
LOL. at this point who ISN’T out of a milan match each week?
If ACM got 3 points for every injury they’d have won the league by November.
Does not matter if they are missing key players. Even with a fully fit team, we are going to dominate them just like we have dominated them in this fixture for years now.
We cannot keep two Top Players Out that is a Great Mistake to Broadcast it On Presconference
In this case Pioli is playing Against All Odds Milan Fans do not Deserve this