Milan coach Stefano Pioli says Francesco Camarda can be involved against Fiorentina, but insists the Rossoneri must not lose focus in the second half: ‘We must learn from our errors.’
The Rossoneri have been winless in the last four Serie A games and will host Fiorentina at San Siro tomorrow.
The first question for Pioli during Friday’s pre-match press conference was about his former player Davide Astori, who died in his sleep in 2018 when Pioli was his coach at Fiorentina.
“Of course, it’s Davide’s game. He grew up here and then played for Fiorentina. Tomorrow, there will be a fundraising event organised by Fondazione Milan,” said the coach.
The Rossoneri will be without the injured Rafael Leao and Noah Okafor plus the suspended Olivier Giroud, so Pioli has called 15-year-old Camarda, promoting him from the Primavera team.
“Talent is ageless and Francesco surely has talent,” noted Pioli.
“Sometimes destiny creates some opportunities so we must be good at helping him. He is very young, but he’s already mature. He is happy to be with us and ready to help the team if needed.
“He is called up to start from the bench so of course, he can be involved,” the Rossoneri coach continued.
“The lad has done really well these days. In any case, this will be a very important experience for him and I am sure he will have a great future.”
Despite Camarda’s availability, Luka Jovic is expected to start up front against the Tuscans.
“I speak with him and every other player. He knows what I expect from him, he knows the team and our system so he has all he needs to give his contribution,” noted Pioli.
Many questions for the Rossoneri boss were about Milan’s recent issues and what they must possibly change on the pitch.
“I believe words are meaningless, especially now. Facts do the talking. During the break, we analysed what didn’t work. We want to prove we have learned from our mistakes by making a high-level performance for 95 minutes,” he said.
“In these moments there are two different attitudes: those who try to build something important and react and those who try to ruin everything and be negative. I belong to the first category. I stick to my players because I believe in them. We were the table leaders in the first eight games. In the last four, we didn’t do enough and we’ve taken our responsibilities.
“The team has the quality to prove to be competitive. Of course, those four games, that period, was not what we expected. We must face these moments with determination putting on the pitch more than what we have. We face a team that has always caused trouble to us so we need a high-level performance.
“It’s the first time since I’ve been coaching Milan that the second halves are affecting us. Games do not finish after 50 minutes. The error, for me, is to decrease the level of determination and focus and not follow the game plan which had granted control of the game. Even if we concede a goal, we must continue playing. We haven’t been consistent enough and we’ve been too much affected by adverse incidents.
“The team is working very well but we can do better. We have been affected by our demerits, the team is aware of it so we must improve. Criticism must be accepted and we must continue to work.”
Pioli also faced a few questions about his future.
“I work and I must remain focused on what we are doing,” he said.
“We have always tried to improve and learn from errors that, unfortunately, sometimes we do. I know what my role represents, with praise and criticism. I go ahead with my ideas, with my club and my players, trying to give our best.
“I only think about tomorrow’s game. My future is uncertain like everyone else’s. There is no certainty about what happens tomorrow, even for you.”
The Rossoneri have been dealing with several injuries this season, which seems to be Pioli’s only regret.
“Just for clarity, the only concern I have is that we haven’t managed to lower the number of injuries over these seasons,” he claimed.
“When a player gets injured, we suffer at Milanello. We’ve always tried to change something and we are doing anything to improve this situation. We have analysed all injuries, each player has their own history. Somebody got injured because he played too much, others didn’t play enough. National teams are not helping us either. Many other clubs are facing the same situation but of course, the numbers are not positive. We are all working to improve and lower the number of injuries. Pulisic, Calabria and Loftus-Cheek will be back, Leao, Kjaer and Okafor won’t be available.”
During the break, Okafor played three games in six days with his national team, but Pioli refused to blame the Swiss coach.
“I’ve never called national team coaches because I respect their work and they know what to do. I think the fixture list is a problem everyone must face with great responsibility. There are too many games which are not good for the players’ health and for the show.
“I think the club did anything to build a competitive team. Right now, there is an emergency due to injuries and suspensions. I am confident the injury situation will improve in the future. We can overcome this moment with our best characteristics.”
One good piece of news comes from Ismael Bennacer, who could soon return to action after suffering a knee injury at the end of last season.
“Bennacer is doing well. He hasn’t had a problem during the rehab which is not easy. Today, he finished the first week of work with the team, now there is another one. He could be available again in the third week. His recovery is going well.”
Fiorentina are just three points below Milan in the Serie A table. So is the upcoming fixture a key game for the Rossoneri’s season?
“Fiorentina play attacking football with Vincenzo Italiano, so they can leave some spaces, but they are a tough opponent for everyone,” Pioli noted.
“They beat Bologna after three consecutive defeats. There are too many games left to say that tomorrow’s game is crucial for any target.
“26 games are remaining so many teams are still involved in the title race, it’s nearly 80 points available. We must not think about that but focus on tomorrow’s games. We haven’t won for four games so our target is to win again.”
Pioli added that he had no updates regarding Ibrahimovic’s possible return to the club and insisted he hadn’t spoken to the former striker during the break.
“No, I know Zlatan was in LA and Las Vegas. I know he is talking to the club and Cardinale in first person. If Gerry saw something exceptional in Ibra, he was not wrong. If Zlatan returns, he will be a resource for us, I don’t know where [he would work], if at the club or Milanello, but he will be a resource for us if he returns.”
Paolo Maldini has recently claimed that he tried to sign Messi for the Rossoneri, but Pioli never discussed his possible signing with the former Rossoneri director.
“No, and I don’t think he can be called up tomorrow,” he concluded.
This is a mistake… Camarda is 15! I can see playing a 18 year old.. but 15?? They will ruin this guy
I know what you re saying Bob, but I’m sure the club understands more than you and I the mental makeup of this kid.