Stefano Pioli discussed his project at Milan, the tactics on display and his admiration of Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola.
The Rossoneri won their first Scudetto in over a decade last season with Pioli at the helm, finally returning to the upper echelons of Italian football after a difficult 10-year period. Milan are looking to defend their league title this season but currently sit eight points behind league leaders Napoli, setting up a difficult second half of the campaign.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italia, Pioli first discussed his work with Milan and relationship with Paolo Maldini.
“If we have made this path it’s because all the components have contributed. From the first day I entered Milanello I felt good and the relationship with Maldini and Massara gave me more strength in my work.
“It’s something that gives the coach more strength, more confidence. Maldini isn’t just there for training, he’s there to relate to everyone, he’s a central figure. We’re talking about a person of a level of knowledge, of DNA, incredible.”
He commented on the project in the Lombardy capital.
“Paolo and Ricky wanted to invest in certain players with sustainable costs for a club that wanted to pursue a certain type of path. It’s a path that doesn’t give immediate results, but we were good at anticipating these timescales.”
Pioli spoke about his reference points in the world of coaching and the tactics he deploys with Milan on the pitch.
“So many coaches. I watch so many games of Guardiola, Nagelsmann, Klopp…. Every great coach has a main characteristic. I have completed my staff with young video analysts who have helped me to get to know new situations.
“And I am lucky to coach players who are available. Like, for example, proposing to Theo and Calabria to come onto the pitch, I saw enthusiasm from them. If I ask a player to do something and he doesn’t feel like it, I take a step back.
“I told Guardiola that everyone compliments him on the attacking phase, but for me he’s the best at recovering the ball. Not all opponents are the same, but we have the idea of not letting other teams play.
“Are we longer and less compact this year? Yes, but because with midfielders we shorten less, we concede the first pass… we have to be quicker. Then we inserted a more offensive trequartista. Sometimes we played with Rebic and Leao on the outside, we were more offensive.
“And also because with the ball we sometimes force too much depth, if you stretch the team then you struggle. We have to dribble more in the opponent’s half.
“The great teams dribble and always have players who attack the depth, but they don’t have to be served if they are followed by the opponent.
“The team wants to become complete, wants to reach a higher level. The opponents change and the players must have the baggage to read the situation.”
Finally, Pioli discussed Milan’s key games in their Scudetto run last season.
“The year before we came second. We found ourselves and told ourselves that to improve we could only win. Every game was decisive because we only won by two points. The derby and the match against Lazio, however, were the turning points.”
Milan have qualified for the Round of 16 of the Champions League and will face Antonio Conte’s Tottenham in February.