Stefano Pioli insists Milan do not need new signings in January or a new system and believes the Rossoneri must work hard and improve defensively to end their crisis.
The Rossoneri host Sassuolo at San Siro on Sunday at lunchtime.
They’ve had a bad start to 2023, winning just one game across all competitions and losing the Supercoppa to city rivals Inter.
They’ve also been knocked out of the Coppa Italia and lost the last Serie A game 4-0 away at Lazio.
“We have an opportunity tomorrow, I think that in order to overcome this moment, we must be united and turn the page. Thinking about what we could have done is not helpful,” Pioli said at a press conference on Saturday, as quoted by Milannews.
“We know we can do much more and we are happy to play in front of our fans who were a source of inspiration for us in Rome. They were united and supported us, now it’s up to us.
“They [fans] don’t need a message from me, they need to see our qualities and our style. We can only recover by winning games and with positive results,” the coach continued.
“Nobody should think players don’t want to overcome this or that they don’t put in full commitment. We’ll overcome this moment by working as we’ve always done, we’ve always believed in our work.”
Will he change the tactical system?
“It could be, but I still think the problem isn’t about positions on the pitch because we tend to vary a lot.
“Sassuolo can or can’t be aggressive, they are a technical team, we must be precise technically and make sure they won’t hurt with counter-attacks.”
Ante Rebic and Theo Hernandez returned to group training earlier this week, will they be involved tomorrow?
“All players must feel ready at all times. We have an important training session today and I will decide,” said Pioli.
“Theo was ok yesterday, if he continues like this today, he will be available tomorrow. [Davide] Calabria picked up a knock, but he trained with the team and he’s ok. Fikayo [Tomori] won’t be there.”
Why haven’t defenders been performing well lately?
“The last few games have been bad generally, not only defensively, right now the collective must improve,” said the 57-year-old who insisted he does not need new signings in January. “We have the resources to end this moment, the club have revealed the stance on the market, we are recovering injured players and we are happy like this.
“I know my players well, if they made many mistakes, I’m the first one responsible. I’ve tried to be clearer these days, simple and direct to work in a better way.”
Fans have been blaming Ciprian Tatarusanu on social media, but the coach defended the Romania international, insisting that new signing Denis Vasquez is still not ready to feature for the first team.
“We’re conceding too many opportunities and it becomes difficult also for the goalkeeper. We must defend better as a team, Vasquez is still not ready to play.”
Charles De Ketelaere has also been in the spotlight lately having failed to justify his €35m price tag this season with just one assist and no goals in 23 appearances this term.
“He is feeling better physically, he is stronger. He is an attacking midfielder and will be deployed there. We’ve played him many times along with Giroud.”