Stefano Pioli discusses Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s influence, his mother’s constructive criticism, his toughest moment and why Milan ‘didn’t start the season as the strongest team, but we became the strongest.’

The Rossoneri had finished second last season behind city rivals Inter and fought to the final round with them again this term before clinching their first Scudetto since 2010-11.

The coach is now on his summer vacation at Forte dei Marmi and revealed he’d been to a wedding today where they had played Freed From Desire, the song that has become known as Pioli’s On Fire among the fans.

Speaking to RAI 3 programme Che Tempo Che Fa, Pioli was asked how his mother had taken the victory, seeing as she had previously told him off for not winning a single piece of silverware as a coach.

“She is very happy. She’s tenacious in giving me advice, and tenacious is putting it kindly,” he smiled. “It’s always constructive criticism and sometimes she really does get it right too.

“The most gratifying experience at Milan has been the fans accepting me for what I am. I put all of myself into what I do and the love of the fans filled me with joy.”

There were times when the title seemed to be slipping away, especially after the crushing Coppa Italia semi-final defeat to Inter.

“That was the worst moment of the season. We wanted to keep going in the competition and we had Lazio straight afterwards, then the toughest run-in, but we ended up winning them all.

“We didn’t start the season being the strongest team, but we became the strongest over the course of the campaign. The club showed great planning and the players continually challenged themselves. I thin we need to continue along this path.”

Paolo Maldini warned that now either Elliott Management or potential new owners RedBird have to invest and step up to the next level.

“In order to achieve such great results, all the components in the club made a big impact. There might be different opinions over the course of a season, but we always faced every issue with the desire to grow and improve. There’s more work to be done and we will take the same approach.”

Rafael Leao has been linked with a bid from Real Madrid as well as several Premier League sides.

“As far as I know, he is staying at Milan. I certainly hope so, and I think that’s the case. He still has real margin for improvement.”

Ibrahimovic won’t be available for the next seven to eight months following knee surgery, but the 40-year-old has no intention of retiring.

“He couldn’t wait to go under the knife, as he suffered for all these months. Zlatan helped me to grow, he gave the whole team that mentality and belief. He is the most intelligent and likeable person I know in football.

“Ibrahimovic had the operation because he wanted to continue playing and he still has more to give.”

9 thought on “Pioli on Ibrahimovic influence and how Milan ‘became the strongest team’”
  1. True.
    It’s not like just because of the Radu error, they would suddenly win that match.
    They’d still be behind Milan on points.

  2. Consistency is what made a team strong. I don’t know how a team cannot be consistent and strong at the same time, one is a consequence of the other

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