Stefano Pioli believes that Milan ‘are following a wonderful path’ and recognised the dangers of their next opponents Lazio.
The Rossoneri have looked strong in the early stages of this season, despite wobbles against Inter in the derby and Newcastle United in their Champions League opener. The team currently sit tied at the top of the league table with the Nerazzurri on 15 points.
Lazio have looked far more inconsistent this campaign and currently sit 12th in the table, picking up seven points from six matches. Their last outing was a 2-0 win over Torino, a result they hope will kickstart some momentum after a slow start.
Speaking in a press conference via TMW, Pioli first arrived the state of his Milan squad heading into the clash with Lazio.
“It can be said that we are doing well. We want to find consistency to do well in the league and in the Champions League. Tomorrow is the most important match.
“We have always lived with great balance, the derby was not the end of our journey, but a new beginning from which start again.
“Now we are not perfect, we are not flawless, but we can put in our best performance tomorrow.”
He was asked when Rafael Leao makes him angry.
“If someone misses a pass, it’s not like they necessarily took the opponent lightly… I expect Rafa to miss less and less, yes.”
The coach commented on the stage of this Rossoneri project.
“We are only at the beginning of our climb. I’m convinced of the quality and attitudes of my players. What I am seeing is positive and must be carried forward with generosity, with strength, with attention.
“After the first break, another season, with matches every three days, to stay at the top you have to be strong in the head, strong in organization, strong individually.”
He discussed the current position of Milan.
“In my opinion there are various situations in the match where we are at a good level, others where we can still grow a lot. But it’s normal, we’ve had a lot of changes.
“But I insisted with the players, only tomorrow’s match counts. Playing so much, it helps in a positive way to throw away the previous game and immediately think about the next one.”
Pioli was asked how it felt to sit at the top of the Serie A table.
“It’s not the top that counts now, but the desire to do well and interpret the matches well. There are no easy matches nor impossible matches. I’m happy with what the team has done in these two games.”
The Milan coach spoke about the emergence of Yacine Adli.
“Yacine had great patience and also great mental strength in playing so little and in maintaining certain types of attitudes. I told him that we had other intentions for the midfielders and that the mediano position remained for him, he worked with great availability.
“He needed time to understand a new position and new constructions both in possession and non-possession phases, in the midfield you play in one way, as a mediano another.
“We know that he cannot yet be perfect in that position, but with his availability, an excellent job can be done. The fact that he is convinced he can find space is excellent for someone who plays at this level.”
He discussed his plans to rotate the defence.
“Kalulu’s injury wasn’t wanted. I have three central defenders because Pellegrino is working well but it will take some time. Having three central defenders it becomes inevitable to decide from game to game.”
The coach was asked if Fikayo Tomori was essential to the squad.
“My hope is that Milan don’t ignore any player, we don’t want to become slaves to anyone. The club was good at getting me so many strong players and our principles don’t change depending on who plays.”
Pioli commented on what improvements need to be made.
“Wanting to control matches is part of our path, but controlling the match doesn’t mean slowing down the pace or not being dangerous.
“The only serious blunder in our first half in Cagliari was the goal and we can do other things better too. Managing yes, but we must continue to be dangerous.”
He gave his thoughts on where Yunus Musah could play.
“He can play in all three positions in midfield. He has characteristics that will be of great use to us, he is a complete player and wherever I use him he will be important for the team.”
He touched on the difficulties of facing Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio.
“Lazio have been playing together for years with an excellent coach and have recognizable lines of play, with great speed and great quality. Regardless of their moment – and they are doing well – they are a strong team.”
The Milan coach weighed in on Samuel Chukwueze’s start with Milan.
“From the point of view of movements and positions he knows very well what he has to do and in Cagliari he did it well, he served two beautiful balls into the area. We also expect some goals from him. He is important in our lineup.”
Pioli was asked if he expected Milan to be at the top of the table after six games.
“When the schedule came out, I didn’t look too far ahead. I thought about preparing every single match.
“It’s useless to talk about the criticisms, we are Milan, we want to win and be competitive. The club is following a wonderful path, already capable of winning and to put the accounts right.
“Then we are Milan, the praise is high and the criticism is high. We have to question ourselves every time, we don’t get excited, but we don’t get depressed.”
He spoke about the head-to-head with Inter.
“I don’t know. They are important numbers, but they are part of the past. We’ll see in May. There are four teams fighting for the Scudetto with Juventus as favourites, because not playing in the cups gives you a few more points.”
The Rossoneri coach touched on the idea of switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation.
“I’m thinking about it because Pulisic is well and in midfield we are five for six places. Then I like Loftus-Cheek as a midfielder, these are things that need to be tested a bit.
“At the moment we are working on other solutions, but the 4-2- 3-1 in the current match is an option.”
He spoke about the work of Noah Okafor.
“We signed him as a winger, but for me he can also play as a central striker. He worked a lot and I’m happy with what he did in Cagliari.”
Finally, Pioli was asked if he fears Lazio’s control of the ball.
“They don’t defend man to man, but they know how to be aggressive and direct the play well, so we will have to dribble well.”