AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli knows that the opening Champions League group stage game against Red Bull Salzburg tonight will provide his side with a very tough test.
Salzburg got out of their group last season showing their pedigree in the UCL while they have also won all but one of their seven league games so far this season, scoring 18 goals in the process.
Pioli was interviewed by Milan TV and he spoke about the opponents in a very complimentary way, with MilanNews relaying his comments.
“Last year Salzburg passed the group stage, they never lost at home, not even against Bayern Munich in the round of 16. They are a fast team, we must play our way. Salzburg have many young players in the team, but they are ready to play the Champions League,” he said.
“They have been winning their league for a few years, so they are a team used to playing to win. They are an attacking and fast team, maybe we can suffer something defensively, but I think we can also find some space forward.
“We know that we will find a prepared team, but we have our playing principles in mind. We will have to take the field with determination and determination. The stadium will be very lively, the real football is in environments like this.
“They will try to play the game. They know how to dribble, but also move vertically with many attackers. It will be a game in which the two teams will think about attacking and not just defending.”
