AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli answered some tough questions regarding his meeting with Gerry Cardinale, his side’s poor form and the pressure he is under.
Pioli has battled through difficult periods throughout his time as Milan boss, but this is certainly up there among the most challenging times. Not only have the team won two in eight games, but their most recent defeat against Borussia Dortmund is likely to knock them out of the Champions League and there is an injury crisis to battle.
For the match on Saturday night, the Rossoneri will have just one fit senior centre-back in Fikayo Tomori after Malick Thiaw was ruled out for the rest of the calendar year following a hamstring issue he suffered in midweek.
Frosinone make the trip north having had a good start to life back in the top flight as they sit in mid-table and well above the relegation zone, something they would have absolutely taken at this stage before a ball was kicked.
Pioli spoke to the reporters who gathered in the conference room on the eve of the game and he addressed a number of different topics, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
Tomorrow Frosinone arrive at San Siro with confidence, could that make them a tough obstacle?
“We have to counteract a high level of play. Di Francesco is doing a great job and they will arrive with confidence and enthusiasm. We want to give continuity to the victory against Fiorentina, because there are many points to score.”
How did lunch go with Cardinale?
“It was a positive and constructive meeting. It is an additional stimulus for my work and that of the team.”
What kind of a player is Simic? Is he ready for tomorrow?
“He worked with us in the summer, he also played in the friendly against Real. He’s an attentive defender, I saw him calm. Will he play from the start tomorrow? I won’t tell you…”
How do you comment on Maldini’s words? He praised you for your work…
“No comment on what he said in the bulk of the interview. I will always be grateful to him and Massara. Now, however, I cannot help but use all my energy to motivate my players and try to win tomorrow. I am not alone, I am always supported by the club. Now the thought is to win tomorrow.”
How will you face Frosinone tomorrow?
“We have our own way of playing and we have to bring it onto the pitch; we have a very clear strategy on what to do when we don’t have the ball. They like to dribble and we will have to be very careful there. Then the games change, we have to be a little more good at reading the moments of the match.”
Have you made any progress on the injury issue?
“Definitely yes. I’m sure that we will improve soon and the emergency will end. Tomorrow Kjaer won’t be available, but we will get him back for the next game. Now we are in an emergency at the front and at the back, but we have other solutions. We are only focused on tomorrow.”
How do Milan get out of this difficult moment?
“With winning, there’s no point in beating around the bush. We’ll need to play a serious, real match, with intensity and quality. With Fiorentina we were careful, tomorrow we have to do the same. Victories give you that enthusiasm. Here we always try to be positive , but now it’s time to demonstrate on the field that we are competitive.”
There continues to be talk about the injuries, bad form.. what are your responsibilities?
“There are always the manager’s responsibilities. It’s too early to make assessments. In the Champions League we have little chance, but we will go for it in Newcastle. Regarding the league, I told the team that there are many games missing and if anyone thinks they can’t reach Inter and Juventus with still 25 matches to play, it is better for them not to show up at Milanello.
“They all showed up, also because they are paid to do so. I am convinced that we have a compact group, especially in the negative moments there was unity and this It was an asset.”
Could you move Calabria inside, play Krunic at centre-back again, or is there a defensive solution we aren’t privy to?
“We have tried in addition to Simic a few things that you don’t know, there are other solutions. We have the right solutions to be a balanced team tomorrow.”
Do you miss Maldini and Ibrahimovic?
“I’ve already said that I don’t feel alone. Clearly we have to give the answers on the field.”
After Thiaw’s injury the team seemed deflated, with Calabria putting his hands on his head…
“It certainly had an impact, we are all aware that an important player was missing. But my players know what it means to be a team, they shouldn’t feel sorry for themselves and still give something more.”
You have had previous crises and there has always been a reaction. What is different this time, and what can Milan do to get out of this moment?
“It’s difficult to make comparisons with other complicated moments in the past, with different players and at different times. We need to rediscover certainties. We know that by playing in a certain way, results will arrive”
When does Leao return?
“I think with Atalanta, we will do everything to get him back.”
How is Camarda after his debut a week ago?
“He’s still the same even after his debut. He works the same way, the team is always close to him.”
Frosinone are a team that press very high and like to be aggressive. How will you face that?
“They are aggressive. We have prepared ourselves. We need to find an overload in build-up, there are solutions to create difficulties for them.”
What is the fundamental aspect to be implemented tomorrow?
“Concentration and determination.”
