Stefano Pioli urged his players to show the same ‘desire and determination’ as Milan gear up to visit Salernitana tomorrow in their first match of the year.
Serie A football resumes after a lengthy World Cup break and Pioli believes his side are ready to embark on the second part of the season despite facing some injuries.
“We need to start in the best possible way tomorrow, we have to start with the same desire and determination. We’ll need a lot of points to be competitive”, the Rossoneri boss said in a press conference.
“We have a great desire to play tomorrow, I’ve seen it in my players. We have some important players back, but we’ve also had to face some injuries. We’ll be recovering someone next week.
“The team are good both mentally and physically. I know the physical aspect is important, but it’s the quality and the mental attitude which can allow us to make a difference”.
Asked if he’s still ‘hungry’ after last season’s Scudetto win, Pioli replied he has been stressing to his players the importance of lifting at least one trophy this season.
“We still play in four competitions and it’s clear we want to win something”, he said.
“I repeat it to my team, although there’s no need to. We want to go down in Milan’s history and we have to keep winning in order to do so.
“If we want to be a winning team, we need to win again this season”.
Once again, the Rossoneri will have to do without several key players against Salernitana, and Pioli claims it is an issue they are trying to address.
“I’m responsible for the injuries, as I’m in charge of everything that happens here at Milanello”, he added.
“Of course, we’re not happy with this and we’re working to decrease the number of injured players”.
Goalkeeper Mike Maignan will be amongst those ruled out of the game, with his recovery process taking longer than expected, and Ciprian Tatarusanu will take his place.
“We do not know when Maignan will be back. Our examinations tell us it is not possible to push him right now, so I don’t know how long it will take, but he won’t be back shortly.
“I don’t care what they say in France about his injury. His scar hasn’t healed yet, so we can’t take a risk.
“Tomorrow Tatarusanu will start. I trust him, he’s a mature player”.
On the other side, Milan will be able to rely on both Theo Hernandez and Olivier Giroud, despite their late comeback after the World Cup final.
“They are well both physically and mentally”, Pioli said.
“They’re disappointed after losing the World Cup final but they are well and they’re available. They’re happy to be back, which is important”.
The Rossoneri’s recent friendlies allowed Pioli to test some of the players who have been playing less during the first term, notably Yacine Adli and Charles De Ketelaere, whose performances have casted doubts on their potential.
“Adli has raised his level because he’s been able to play more, that was one of the goals of our friendlies”, the coach said.
“He did good things, he has to improve in other situations but I rely on him for the future.
“De Ketelaere couldn’t do proper physical conditioning with us due to his transfer. He had a good start and then he’s struggled physically.
“Now he’s developed and I’m expecting improvements too”.