Milan coach Stefano Pioli suggested he was calm during the Europa League Round of 16 draw and called on his team to return to winning ways against Atalanta.
The Rossoneri suffered a tight 3-2 defeat to Rennes in the second leg of their Europa League knockout playoff tie on Thursday, but the result didn’t change their fate as they ran off 5-3 winners on aggregate, qualifying for the next round.
Milan had to wait until the final few moments in the Europa League knockout draw in Nyon on Friday, being left with a 50-50 between Slavia Praha and Bayer Leverkusen. They drew the former, avoiding a tense showdown with Xabi Alonso’s high-flying side.
Speaking in a press conference via TMW, Pioli first discussed what kind of game he expects against Atalanta.
“Tomorrow is very important for the league table, to get back to winning ways after the defeat in Monza, it’s very important because they continue to score points underneath us. We, Inter and Atalanta are the teams that in the last 10 days have done more points.”
He was asked why Atalanta were more favoured than Milan in the Europa League.
“When you asked me that question we still had to get through the previous round, now we too are playing for it like Atalanta, Leverkusen, Liverpool… All the teams want to win the Europa League and so do we.”
He commented on the state of his squad.
“After the Europa League matches, we always have a press conference before training so I can’t tell you anything… Today we will do more certain training tests.
“Kalulu is well, he’ll complete the week of work with the team. Tomori is better, but it is a little further behind than Kalulu. We are recovering all the personnel. Calabria is fine.”
The coach touched on how to shore up the team’s leaky defence.
“The difference isn’t being spread or tight, it’s the intensity with which we apply pressure to best develop the defensive phase.”
Pioli spoke about the importance of Fikayo Tomori and Pierre Kalulu.
“They are players who know our defensive principles, they are fast, aggressive, who can do the defensive phase well and set up well. Since we will have so many commitments, it is very important to have as large a squad as possible.”
He was asked how he felt during the final moments of the Europa League draw.
“Nothing, because I wasn’t even too worried about drawing Bayer Leverkusen… It depends on us. But it’s not an easy draw, Slavia won Roma‘s group, they’re playing for the title in their league. Destiny in the Europa League depends on us and our performance.”
The Milan coach commented on how playing on Thursday changes things.
“It makes a difference with the Champions League on Tuesday or Wednesday, as with tomorrow’s match, Atalanta had a clean week. Tomorrow is an important match for our league table.”
He discussed the growth of Charles De Ketelaere at Atalanta.
“Gasperini is doing an incredible, exceptional job, we must congratulate him, he has had exciting years and others less productive.
“I remember your thoughts on De Ketelaere, when it was said that he had quality and that Maldini and Massara had not signed rubbish.
“Many in Italy need a year. Gasperini good at finding a more offensive position, then every environment has its expectations and its history.”
Pioli spoke about Atalanta’s strengths on the pitch.
“I don’t think Atalanta are only strong on the counterattacks. We should be compact, aggressive. It will depend on our attackers, on how aggressive they are. We have to hurt Atalanta by trying to score lots of goals.”
He was asked why he turned over the squad against Monza.
“I keep telling you that we want to be protagonists in both competitions. I believe we have a strong squad, I believe that the choices made in Monza were the right ones for the condition of the players.
“Better lineup in Rennes? Giroud didn’t play, Loftus-Cheek didn’t he played… Tomorrow I will field the best lineup based on how the players are doing.”
He was also asked about the busy schedule.
“It was proposed to me to play against Monza on Monday, but since we had two home games, we preferred to have an extra day for the return match against Rennes.
“It was proposed to play against Empoli on Monday, and we didn’t accept, but I didn’t know that we would have played at 3pm. The club talks to whoever it needs to talk to and will continue to do so in the appropriate places.”
The Milan coach commented on the work of Mike Maignan.
“The miracles are not over. Mike remains one of the best in the world. He is an incredible professional, he is obsessed with becoming the best in the world. He always comes out of any situation improved. There are no problems with him.”
Pioli discussed what Samuel Chukwueze is missing.
“Pulisic and Chukwueze have the same characteristics, Pulisic scores goals, assists and works. Chukwueze has to score goals, he has to score assists and has to work.”
Finally, Pioli spoke about how his Milan will face Atalanta.
“We have to be strong in duels. Guardiola said it well, facing Atalanta is like going to the dentist, it’s annoying.”