Pioli on Milan’s lack of goals, Scudetto ambitions and Kessié

Stefano Pioli insists that Milan still believe in the Scudetto and that the Rossoneri create more than their opponents.

The Serie A giants host Genoa at the Stadio Meazza tomorrow after two successive 0-0 draws against Bologna and Torino.

Olivier Giroud was the last striker to score a goal for the Rossoneri more than a month ago and Milan’s lack of goals over the last few weeks has been a matter of concern.

“We always play to win and when it doesn’t happen, we are disappointed,” Pioli said at a press conference. We must focus on one game at a time. I’ve seen a convinced team, we know we must do something more.

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“We are still in the race for the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia, so everyone has given his best. Leao will be well marked tomorrow, so we must put him in the best condition to create one vs. one situations.

“It’s too early to judge our season, we’ll do it at the end of the campaign. We must collect as many points as possible and remain in the race until the end.

“We always study our opponents, Genoa defend well and have a simple and effective playing style. We are preparing to get favourable situations.”

Could Alexis Saelemaekers play at right-back tomorrow?

“It’s a solution that we can try more during the game than from the start. Alessandro Florenzi, Ibrahimovic and Simon Kjaer’s absences are important, but they know how to face these moments. We all know that we must give something more.”

Pioli added that Samu Castillejo has an ankle problem so he won’t play tomorrow, while Ismael Bennacer and Ante Rebic are available. Franck Kessié will leave Milan as a free agent in the summer, joining Barcelona. The Rossoneri fans booed him during the last home game against Bologna.

Circa 65,000 fans will be at the Stadio Meazza tomorrow. Is Pioli worried by the reception that the Ivorian midfielder could receive?

“Franck is motivated and the fans will be with us until the end,” the coach said without going into much detail.

Do Milan still believe in the Scudetto?

“We do for the way we are playing. We create more than our opponents and we must believe in it, until the end. We are a strong team, but we must give something more,” the coach concluded.