AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has urged his team to forget about the defeat against Roma on Thursday night and focus on putting things right against Sassuolo.
Milan must bounce back after their Europa League quarter-final first leg defeat against Roma at San Siro, a result which has left them needing a comeback in the capital on Thursday in order to get through.
Pioli perhaps has one eye on that game and has made seven changes to the line-up as a result, with Simon Kjaer, Yunus Musah, Yacine Adli, Alessandro Florenzi, Samuel Chukwueze and Luka Jovic all getting a start.
Sassuolo meanwhile are fighting to stay in the top flight and thus it will no doubt be a tough test for the Rossoneri against a team scrapping for every point.
Pioli spoke to DAZN a few minutes before kick-off at the Mapei Stadium and he answered questions about the game a few days ago and his selection choices, with his words transcribed by MilanNews.
How important is it to respond after Thursday?
“We must not think about Thursday, absolutely. We must think about today, because second place in the table is important. We are very focused and motivated for the match in today, we have our qualities to put on the field.”
How did you make a decision on the line-up?
“The choices are made based on the conditions of the players, on the responses we have had in recent days. Rafa is well and playing.”
You too are one yellow from a touchline ban…
“I didn’t know that!”
So you have to be careful?
“Let’s see. (laughs).”
