Stefano Pioli assures he ‘would not change my players for anyone else’ and trusts Milan are ready for the first game of 2023 against Salernitana.
“We know the importance of the game and of starting on the right foot. This is a difficult test, but we believe that we are ready,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia.
Charles De Ketelaere is on the bench and seen as the only real alternative as a centre-forward to Olivier Giroud, amid an injury crisis that has ruled out Ante Rebic, Divock Origi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“We also have Yacine Adli and we’ll see what the game tells us. The initial approach will be important, as it has been a long break, but we know the difficulties that await us and I am sure we’ll take the right attitude, then we can make other choices as it develops.”
Milan are decimated at the Stadio Arechi, missing nine players including Simon Kjaer, Mike Maignan, Junior Messias and Rade Krunic.
It means Giroud and Theo Hernandez are rushed back into the starting XI just 17 days after playing the World Cup Final for France in Qatar.
“I trust my players not because I have to say that, but because I know them well. I wouldn’t change them for anyone else, I know how eager they are to work together, their strength, potential and belief.
“We need to face this game with full concentration, but also the calm that comes with knowing we have what it takes to win.”
The Rossoneri begin 2023 in second place in the Serie A table, but a full eight points behind runaway leaders Napoli, so cannot afford to slip up in Salerno.