AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has admitted that the Scudetto must simply be a ‘starting point’ for the club and gave little away about the plans for the mercato.
Not many tipped Milan to win the Scudetto last season but they proved the doubters wrong with an incredible end to the campaign during which they won their last six games to take advantage of Inter’s slip against Bologna to storm to the title.
The Rossoneri face a challenging upcoming season because the pressure will be on Pioli’s men to try and defend their league title while also going further in the Champions League and possibly targeting the Coppa Italia too.
This morning, Pioli received honorary citizenship from the mayor of Noceto – Fabio Fecci – and as part of the event he spoke to reporters about a number of different topics, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
On getting honorary citizenship: “It is a great honour. The mayor is a friend, he is a big Milan fan. I am very attached to this territory and therefore it is a great pleasure to be here.”
On the Milan Camp that started in Noceto: “They are kids who have to think only of playing and having fun. Then for the future we will see later. Now the important thing is to socialise and have fun.”
On the meeting: “On Monday we will start the preparation with great enthusiasm. We have done something special, but it must only be a starting point. We know the difficulties we will find in Italy and in Europe. Only great enthusiasm for the return, then the club knows very well what to do.”
On the transfer market: “What do I expect? I expect to resume on July 4th with great enthusiasm, I have missed my players. It will be a difficult season, we will try to be up to it.”
On his growth: “Have I changed from the beginning? Sure, a lot. It is normal that this is the case. From positive and negative experiences you learn a lot. Now I am more mature and more aware of my skills. I am no longer very young, but inside I feel young. I have a lot of passion and desire to do things with enthusiasm to grow and improve. I hope I still expect an important future.”
