Stefano Pioli said Milan are ready for the ‘decisive moment’ in Serie A and has targeted 75 points in total to claim a place in the Champions League.
The Rossoneri return to action against Sampdoria tomorrow, the first of 10 remaining games and the Diavolo continue to fight for the Scudetto and a place in the Champions League next season.
“The decisive moment of the season is coming,” Pioli said at a press conference. “Everything we have do so far has helped us to this moment.
Stefano Pioli said Milan are ready for the ‘decisive moment’ in Serie A and has targeted 75 points in total to claim a place in the Champions League.
The Rossoneri return to action against Sampdoria tomorrow, the first of 10 remaining games and the Diavolo continue to fight for the Scudetto and a place in the Champions League next season.
“The decisive moment of the season is coming,” Pioli said at a press conference. “Everything we have do so far has helped us to this moment.
“The matches will be complicated and difficult; we must think about giving our best because we want to get to the end of the season without regrets.
“We are playing for Milan and give our all. We will make up the accounts at the end.”
Pioli has already calculated the number of points needed to qualify for the Champions League this term.
“I think 75 points could be the right threshold,” he added. “We still need to make a lot of them.
“There will be many direct clashes – we will have three – and there are also games against those teams fighting for safety.”
But this doesn’t mean that Pioli has given up on the Scudetto just yet, despite sitting six points behind Inter in the table, having played one more game than their local rivals.
“We believe in what we do,” Pioli explained. “Serenity, trust and a lot of work.
“That’s how we operate, and it must be like this until the end. There are 30 points available, the fight will be tough.
“We must think about tomorrow’s game, as it will be tough and difficult, against a motivated team trained by a great coach, whom I respect and who has given me more as a player.”
Against Sampdoria, Milan have to turn around a poor run at home and must do without Alessio Romagnoli, Davide Calabria, Mario Mandzukic, Rafael Leao, Daniel Maldini, and maybe Brahim Diaz.
“Those who returned from the national team are back in good condition, except for Brahim, who has a problem, and we will evaluate him tonight.”
The spotlight during the run-in will be on Gigio Donnarumma, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Hakan Calhanoglu, who are all on expiring contracts.
“In their eyes I see serenity,” Pioli said. “Their future is for us now. It would change everything to qualify for the Champions League.
“I see them very concentrated and attentive.”