On the eve of the Derby della Madonnina, Stefano Pioli spoke to the media at the usual press conference and shared his thoughts on the tough task ahead. Indeed, AC Milan’s goal is to spoil the Scudetto party for Inter.
Inter need just one win to clinch the Scudetto and doing it in the derby would be very special. Especially since it will take their tally up to 20 Scudetti, while Milan will remain at 19. In short, the Rossoneri will want to prevent this at all costs.
Speaking live during today’s press conference, as cited by MilanNews, Pioli was asked about the disappointing performances against Roma. He also shared his thoughts on what will be needed to beat the Nerazzurri tomorrow.
Should the pride of the Rossoneri fans be represented tomorrow?
“We can use all the terms we want: pride, responsibility, belonging. For the league standings, after Thursday’s elimination, and for Inter’s Scudetto, it’s an opportunity for redemption, for pride.”
How have the last few days been?
“These have been days of work. It’s over now, we worked to prepare as best we could for the derby. We can’t be happy, but we worked in view of the next match.”
What derby will it be tomorrow?
“It will be very important for the meaning of the clash and the standings. There has been too much talk about me for too long: I think this hasn’t done anyone any good.”
What do you ask of your Milan?
“To win tomorrow. We were coming off seven victories in a row and then came elimination. Milan can still give a lot.”
Too much criticism?
“My Milan can still give a lot. I’m not interested in criticism. You journalists and the fans can criticize and judge, there are those who have done it with more respect and those who have done it with less respect.”
What do you think of Curva Sud’s stance?
“The most important thing is that there will be 70 thousand fans who will cheer for Milan tomorrow, the rest is of little interest. The latest on Pioli doesn’t matter, but what Milan will do tomorrow. We will need the best Milan possible.”
Coming from the elimination in the Europa League…
“Difficult. If the team has been going through a difficult moment for a long time, then stamina and quality can be lacking, but this wasn’t the case for us. We weren’t able to play at our level, in terms of quality and energy. The past is history, even if it’s not positive that we didn’t advance.”
Do you have any regrets? What rating do you give the season?
“I will not make any evaluations or ratings now, only at the end of the season.”
Coming from five defeats in a row in the derby…
“The players know everything, they know the importance, then we have to show it on the pitch.”
How do you prepare for a game like this?
“It’s impossible not to prepare well for a match like this. Every player will be preparing to be at their best. Tactical choices? I could change everything or nothing. I’m open to anything.”
Is there a lesson you take away?
“At the end of the year, I will make my assessments, I will definitely take something away with me.”
What do you expect tomorrow?
“The team must not play for me, but for itself, for the shirt, for the fans. I expect a performance from a real team. Tomorrow the result matters, not Pioli.”
What more can you give to this team?
“I have always given everything and received a lot. I feel like I can still give a lot to this team.”
Can Milan prove that they aren’t so inferior to Inter?
“We can demonstrate this in tomorrow’s match, perhaps by not going behind in the first few minutes and understanding that we can be on par with our opponents. We arrived in the first leg with very high expectations, only to then encounter difficulties that we were unable to stem.”
Did the match against Roma remind you of the two Champions League derbies?
“Perhaps when we arrive too convinced we don’t know how to react to difficulties. We perhaps sinned a little by being presumptuous, thinking that Roma might not score on us, this could be true…”
Have you thought about the February 2023 derby?
“We know our opponents and our characteristics. I have set myself one priority, tomorrow after the match I will tell you what it is.”
Would you be surprised by a great match?
“I wouldn’t be surprised, I have a lot of faith in my players. Then it will be a game in which I will suffer a lot, but I believe in my players and I believe we can win.”
Pellegatti says he isn’t a Piolist, but simply a Milan supporter…
“Not many have been this year, Milan fans I mean…”
Will your potential successor do a better job?
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves with certain judgments and certain comments, they are not my concern at this moment. In the end, we will draw conclusions. Then I will tell you what I think of the season, why and how certain things happened, both positive and negative. If you agree, fine, otherwise I’ll get over it.”
It’s the first derby ever to be played on a Monday night and it remains to be seen how Milan will respond. Per the latest reports, Pioli will rely on the usual starters for the big game, with Tijjani Reijnders back in the eleven.