AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli addressed a number of topics in his pre-Salernitana press conference including Ismael Bennacer’s condition, the recent positive results and of course the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Milan secured back-to-back wins against Newcastle United in the Champions League and Monza in the league to help stabilise somewhat after a crisis of results that threatened to fully derail the season.
The most recent victory against Palladino’s side was an impressive performance as the Rossoneri won 3-0, with the highlight being a goal on debut for 18-year-old centre-back Jan-Carlo Simic, though Tommaso Pobega and Noah Okafor sustained injuries that will keep them out for a while.
Tomorrow a trip to face Salernitana at the Stadio Arechi awaits. They are coached by Milan favourite Pippo Inzaghi who has been there since October, but have won just one game all season and sit rock bottom.
Pioli spoke to the reporters who gathered at Milanello for his pre-match press conference on the eve of the game, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
Ibrahimovic is back at the club, and came to Milanello yesterday…
“He’s the usual Zlatan. He’s approaching a different role, he’s curious and determined. He looked motivated. It was an interesting day.”
What do you think of the Super League issue?
“I just heard the news, I don’t yet have the data to make a deeper judgement.”
Will Ibra be in Salerno tomorrow?
“Yes he will be there tomorrow. He is an added value for me and for the club. He has great experience, he is the symbol of those who face challenges.”
How are the injured players?
“I don’t do the medical bulletin, but we are still in an emergency. The latest injuries have been strange and particular. We are working to get back to normal because we have many games to play.”
How many minutes does Bennacer have in his legs?
“I hope he also has a good playing time. He’s fine. Tomorrow he’ll play from the start and will stay on the pitch as long as he can.”
Has a new season started for Milan since Newcastle?
“It depends a lot on tomorrow’s match. We are trying to find the right continuity. Tomorrow is important, we know their characteristics and our strengths.”
Will you keep a three-man defence tomorrow?
“Salernitana changes the way they attack. We will take the field in the most suitable way.”
Are you in contact with Algeria regarding Bennacer and the Africa Cup of Nations?
“It’s not us and the player who make the schedule. He’s fine. If he accepts the call-up he will go to the Africa Cup of Nations, like Chukwueze. It will then be up to us to find other solutions.”
What do you need in January?
“The club knows what our needs are. The club are willing to intervene in January.”
Are you satisfied with your season?
“We can’t be satisfied with what we’ve done so far, but we can make it better than it has been so far.”
What do you think of Pippo Inzaghi as a coach?
“He has given a lot to Milan, he is in the hearts of the fans. He has been a coach for a while, difficult moments happen. I wish him good luck, even if we will be rivals tomorrow.”
How much is Leao missing that scoring feeling?
“It’s important for us and for him. He was coming off a break, I’ve seen him well these days. I hope he’s at his top tomorrow.”
Now you’ll have a few full weeks to work…
“We will work on certain situations, especially at an individual level to improve everyone’s condition. After the Italian Cup and before the Europa League we will have three weeks to do certain workloads.”
You said you are working to improve the injury problem…
“I hope as soon as possible, although unfortunately we will have some very long-term injuries. We hope to return to normality soon.”
Why is Krunic playing so little?
“Right now there is someone who is doing better than him.”
Is a Loftus-Cheek, Bennacer and Reijnders midfield sustainable?
“It depends on how we want to play. It’s a trio that can do well together and give us the right balance.”
For Salernitana it is a last resort match. How will you deal with it?
“We have to interpret the match as if it were the last resort for us too.”
Pandoro or panettone?
“I prefer panettone, perhaps with a little mascarpone…”
“How are the injured players?
“I don’t do the medical bulletin”
Bro you are the coach, how do you not know which players are Injured and to what extent 🤦♂️
Why is Krunic playing so little?
“Right now there is someone who is doing better than him.”
There seem to be some rift going on here. It seems they’ve had some disagreement. Pioli hardly speaks negatively about his players. This was so blunt