Stefano Pioli explains when ‘our Milan was born,’ being a father figure for younger players, dealing with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and hoping he will ‘still be the Milan coach in the new stadium.’
The coach was a guest speaker at the Festival dello Sport in Trento and discussed topics going back over his career as both player and tactician.
Fresh from a 3-2 victory over Atalanta in Bergamo, he thought back to the 5-0 defeat here in December 2019 that marked rock bottom for the Rossoneri, but also sparked the transformation that has taken them to the Champions League today.
“That was a heavy defeat, but it taught us many things. That is where our Milan was born,” explained Pioli.
“You can find positives from negative experiences. I felt something change also during the lockdown, when after a few weeks of not talking to the players, we resumed training at a distance. It’s difficult to explain, but I give the players credit.
“The team now is exciting, they give me enthusiasm, are responsible and share working practices. Our players really enjoy the way we play football.”
Pioli was almost fired in the summer of 2020 to make way for Ralf Rangnick, but in a sudden turnaround, the club extended his contract.
“The club made a very carefully-thought move and decided to really invest in youth, which means waiting for the fruits of that labour, which we are seeing now.
“I hope young players don’t see me as too old! It’s a rapport between coach and player, but they also know they can come to me for advice, even over personal matters, like a discussion with their family or a row with their girlfriend.”
A veteran who does not need advice over such situations is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who arrived in January 2020 and immediately became a leader in the locker room.
“In our first meeting, he told me: ‘Mister, don’t listen to those who tell you I am not ready. I am here to be a player and you are here to be a coach.’ Whatever he does in future, he’ll be successful. He sees the play before anyone else and never makes the wrong choice.
“The players see him as a leader, but also know he is altruistic and always ready to help.”
Milan are back in the Champions League, although they lost the opening two games with a great deal of bad luck and controversy against Liverpool and especially Atletico Madrid.
“We have to believe. The first two results were negative, but the performances gave us more confidence and four games are enough to turn this around.”
Pioli also turned to the future amid negotiations to build a new stadium for Milan and Inter in the San Siro area.
“I hope to still be the Milan coach in the new stadium.”
LIVE MN – Pioli: “Con l’Atletico ho perso le staffe. In Italia servono nuove strutture” https://t.co/d4pcFEAcNN
— MilanNews.it (@MilanNewsit) October 7, 2021