Stefano Pioli is not feeling the pressure ahead of Milan’s clash against Hellas Verona, wanting his team to flex their muscles.
The Rossoneri are desperate to pick up all three points in tomorrow’s match against the Gialloblu in order to take a step closer to the Scudetto. Inter’s 4-2 win over Empoli yesterday means that they now sit one point ahead of Pioli’s side, putting the pressure on Milan even more.
Speaking in a press conference today, Pioli first discussed how it feels to play in Verona tomorrow.
“It will be nice to face a game with so many Milan fans, because they are giving us energy, passion and enthusiasm that we would like to be able to bring to the pitch tomorrow night as well.”
He touched on the impact playing after Inter has and what kind of week it’s been in Milanello.
“It’s been the same as the previous ones. We’re now at a point where all the games have had and will have a bearing on the final objective. I saw great attention and motivation.
“We know that Verona can create difficulties for us, but the difficulties we’ve faced recently and elsewhere have made us grow. It’s time to show that we’re not only good, but that we can be the. best.”
The Milan coach spoke about how the team often score in the final minutes of a match.
“It’s our attitude. Us and Verona score a lot even at the start of the game, the approach to the match will be important, even if the game is long. As always, we’ll try to change characteristics as the game progresses with substitutions.
“The step is always the same: we want to try to dominate the games, so we have to be a team from start to finish. We have the Champions League semi-final in our minds, which Real won with their heart, spirit and mentality, you have to play every game to the max.”
Pioli commented on what Ibrahimovic can bring to the table now.
“We know how important he is for us. He’s doing everything to help us out.”
He did not want to discuss the idea that Milan and Inter had different mentalities.
“It’s not the moment. Now we need seven points to do something extraordinary and to show that we are the best in this league. We have to play as Milan, then if we win 1-0 or with a few more goals the important thing is to be a team and play with emotion.”
The Italian coach spoke about if he was ‘all in’ on Milan’s chances.
“The bookmakers predicted we’d be underdogs. I’m betting that the team will give their best tomorrow.”
Pioli revealed that he didn’t watch Inter’s 4-2 win over Empoli.
“I watched our training session again and then a great tennis match. Fenomeno Alcaraz.”
He gave his thoughts on Igor Tudor’s Hellas Verona.
“They will be as fierce as Cagliari. They will try to do everything to beat us. We will try to do that too.
“Verona’s offensive department is very dangerous, we should be very good at being very compact and focused in defence, and then recover the ball and put them in trouble.”
The Milan coach thought all of their remaining games were tough.
“Yes, it’s the most difficult game because it’s tomorrow, then next week I’ll say the same thing. We expect a very motivated and determined opponent.”
Pioli discussed the mental growth of the team across the last two years.
“The attitude is… I see them always on the ball, alert and motivated. They are handling these emotions well. We come from a journey of two years, of successes and disappointments. Now we’re more ready.”
He gave his thoughts on Carlo Ancelotti, who won La Liga with Real Madrid this season and is now competing in the Champions League final against Liverpool.
“Legend. He is top in everything. I barely know him, but I think he has a fantastic ability to get into the heads and hearts of the players, it’s the best characteristic a coach can have.”
The Italian coach underlined the mental strength of his players at this tense stage of the season.
“I don’t see my players anxious and worried, I see them motivated. A comma can make the difference. We are focused, anxious and not frantic.
“There has been exceptional growth. I thought I had to be here at Milanello to calm them down, but in reality no, they are always serene and smiling, happy to be here.”
Pioli revealed why the Milan squad have such good harmony.
“It’s those chemistries that come about within a squad because of the way we work and the environment that is giving us incredible emotions.”
He knew who he wanted to take a penalty in the match, should it be needed.
“We have always set out our penalty taker list, then the players might change that.”
The Italian coach did not want to think about the idea of a possible officiating mistake.
“Everything that depends on Milan we can control. Then there are those who make other choices and we will respect them.”
Pioli spoke about Milan’s struggles to comfortably close out matches.
“In terms of mentality we’ll look for the goal. There was no lack of balance against Fiorentina, even though we had three pure strikers. The balance must always be maintained, then if we need to change something up front.”
He didn’t want to reveal what is firing up the Milan squad currently.
“Yes, there is, but we don’t want to reveal it. It’s not the time.”
The Rossoneri coach spoke a little about the fitness coaches.
“They know very well what I think of our work, I’m responsible, they propose and then I decide. Too many times we give importance to the physical part and less to the technical-tactical one. We’ve never had any peaks in either direction.”
Finally, Pioli commented on the mental state of the squad ahead of tomorrow’s match.
“Everyone lives today according to their own habits. Some talk too much, others less. Then I see concentration and motivation.”
Milan, Pioli avverte l'Inter: "È il momento di dimostrare che non siamo solo bravi, ma i migliori" https://t.co/8mRRt7eWhf
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