Pioli: ‘Milan always have five attacking players’

Stefano Pioli explains how Milan have changed in characteristics and tactical approach this season with their new buys after flattening Torino 4-1. ‘There are effectively five players attacking.’

The Rossoneri have had a fantastic start to the new season, picking up six points from two Serie A games, scoring six goals and conceding just once from Perr Schuurs this evening.

Olivier Giroud converted two penalties, with Christian Pulisic and Theo Hernandez rounding out the 4-1 scoreline at San Siro against Torino.

In his post-match interview, Giroud said they now have more strength in depth and can challenge for both the Scudetto and the Champions League.

“That is our objective, certainly,” agreed Pioli on Sky Sport Italia.

“We are happy with the performance, as we showed steps forward from the opening game. We must continue getting to know each other and become more of a team unit, but this is already a good start.

“We brought in players with the characteristics we were looking for, a very attack-minded and proactive approach. This has always been our way of playing, sometimes it worked better than others, but we never sat back to go on the counter-attack. The pressing of the forwards helped us out defensively too today.”

The transfer window will close next week and there are still reports Milan are seeking a centre-forward like Porto’s Medhi Taremi to give Giroud a rest.

“Oli is a great player, but if we want to be competitive over two tournaments, no player can guarantee 100 per cent for the full season. The more options we have, the better. We are complete as things stand, then if something happens the club will decide what to do.”

If a new striker is not brought in, then Lorenzo Colombo is expected to remain at San Siro rather than go on loan to Monza.

Pioli switched his tactics to a 4-3-3 this season, so could he adopt the old 4-2-3-1 as well?

“It is a possibility when everyone is in good shape, but I don’t think the system makes us more or less attacking. It’s the characteristics of the players, because now we have midfielders who are more attack-minded and push up, so there are effectively five players attacking.

“We also have alternatives, as Pulisic can play behind Giroud, for example. Let us at the moment try to gain some consistency and do these things regularly, but it is always an advantage for the coach to have different options.

“This is a great group of players to work with. They are prepared to sacrifice themselves fully for the team and that is the foundation we can build on.”

Pulisic has scored in both his Serie A games so far this season, but Pioli tried to put a lid on the inevitable hype following his move from Chelsea.

“He is very intelligent. We all know what the football world is like, we need to be balanced in the positive and negative evaluations. I saw progress from the Bologna game, but also things we can do better, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

Milan had seemed to lose the ‘joy’ in their performance seen during the Scudetto season, but have rediscovered some of that sparkle.

“Playing at San Siro certainly makes us happy and I am glad the new players experienced this warmth and enthusiasm for the first time. Last season was complicated for many reasons, we were coming off the Scudetto and wanted to repeat ourselves, so for a certain period we did lose some of that enjoyment. I think we are forming a great team now, but the difficulties will come and the more united we are, the better we can deal with those when they arrive.”

After weeks of Fenerbahce pressure, now Lyon are reported to be chasing midfielder Rade Krunic. So Pioli was asked outright if the Bosnian will remain.

“Yes.”