Following the comfortable 3-0 win against Lecce this afternoon, Stefano Pioli spoke to the media and shared his thoughts on the performance. The manager reflected on the winning run and the main improvements.
Milan made it seven wins in a row today (all competitions) for the first time since 2006, when Carlo Ancelotti was in charge. In other words, Pioli’s men are in good form and this was the perfect confidence boost ahead of the Roma clash on Thursday.
Speaking to DAZN after the game, as cited by MilanNews, Pioli shared his thoughts on today’s performance and what has resulted in the winning run. Above all, he highlighted the improvements in defence, having been ‘saved by the attack’ in the first four months of the season.
An unpredictable Milan?
“We always try to play with the positions that we have prepared to cause issues in the opponent’s defensive phase, we succeeded thanks to the quality of my attacking players. We played the game we wanted to play. Now we must have great attention and concentration for the first leg match in the Europa League quarter-finals, we must prepare as best we can.”
The mentality and energy of his squad…
“It’s not difficult to find motivation. It wasn’t always a positive season, we suffered for a certain period, we tried to isolate ourselves but inside we felt this suffering. When a team suffers so much but doesn’t give up and remains united, precisely at the level of believing in what they were doing, we can now recognise that we are doing well.”
Did you reconquer San Siro today?
“I must say that we suffered and our fans did too, but what they did in difficult moments, that is, to come with great enthusiasm, with a lot of suffering and to fill San Siro, was never lacking. It is a great merit of this environment, we must try to take advantage of this enthusiasm.
“The next month and a half will be important. Now only the next one matters, opinions change quickly. We have a big goal, we want to be as competitive as possible in both competitions, finishing second in the league and reaching the end of the Europa League would be important. It’s our goal, our motivation and we have to work hard.”
How does Pioli manage to be so balanced? How much do you like his group?
“Very, very much. When I talk about the group I’m not just talking about the players, but also about the club, the managers, the technical staff, the players, the people who work at Milanello. It’s difficult to find such an attentive, professional, positive environment even when it seems that everything is going wrong and that we have suddenly become idiots.
“Inside Milanello, we have never stopped believing in what we do, we have never stopped believing in the players and they have never stopped believing in us, the club has always supported us. You don’t get out of difficulties luckily, just as we had negative results not due to bad luck but because we weren’t able to maintain a certain level of performance.
“A symbiosis has formed between old and new players… And also many old players who could have lost enthusiasm, because after so many years it is not easy, have become increasingly immersed in this job, in this reality. It’s nice to coach this group, it’s nice to coach at Milanello.
“We had never won five games in a row (in the league), now we will try to win the sixth. First, we will try to do as we did in the other rounds, even if Roma are at a higher level than Slavia Praha and Rennes. We will try to take advantage of playing in front of our fans.”
Have Milan found balance again?
“We have data that tells us that in the first 4 months, our defensive phase was mid-table worthy and we saved ourselves with the attacking phase. We didn’t just pay for a few injuries, but it took more careful pressure, better recoveries, tackles in midfield, more careful handling of opponents’ insertions…
“I think that many of our improvements have come in the defensive phase. The defensive phase depends a lot on will, sacrifice, communication… The attacking phase does not depend on the skill of the coach but on the skill of the players. While the defensive phase depends on the spirit, on the sacrifice, on the extra run, on the recoveries that Pulisic, Chukwueze, Leao now make… We must insist on these things.”
Did you expect to bring a player like Pulisic to Milan?
“I must say that when I have video meetings to explain to a player what our path and ideas are, I’m rarely wrong about personal and character sensations. Pulisic is a quality player, I already knew him. But when we spoke 2-3 times I heard something very positive. I saw desire and curiosity in him. I found everything I had heard.
“He’s not a guy who opens up a lot, it’s not what makes the difference but his attitude does. He has a fantastic attitude, about the team and about everyone. An exemplary worker and professional like all Milan players, this has raised the level of professionalism and seriousness that will help the group become ever stronger.”
As mentioned, the Europa League clash against Roma is up next and a strong performance will be needed, with Milan starting at home. Thanks to the red card today, at least it wasn’t a game with high intensity and Pioli also made all five subs.
Again, like I always say, Pioli is his own enemy