AC Milan will be looking to protect their slender advantage over Napoli when the two sides meet in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on Tuesday night.
The Rossoneri won the first leg at San Siro 1-0 thanks to a goal from Ismael Bennacer but with Victor Osimhen set to return to Napoli’s starting lineup after an injury lay-off, Luciano Spalletti’s side could prove to be a different beast this time.
Milan coach Stefano Pioli spoke to the media in his press conference on Monday night (via Milan News) to preview the game and discuss his plans.
With Milan locked in a very tight race to try and finish in the top four of Serie A to qualify for the Champions League again, Pioli was asked whether he would trade fourth place for a Champions League final.
“We are here to play for the Champions League, one game at a time. It would be a very important path. It is a path born three years ago, we are only focused on this game. Evaluations are given at the end,” Pioli said.
“Both teams will be ready. A very delicate match, but challenging. Both teams have the qualities to win the game.”
He also emphasised the fact that Napoli started the first leg very well in Milan and had the better of the play.
“Both teams have had their chances at goal, the one who takes better advantage of the chances creates victories. Napoli in Milan got off to a much better start than we did and that has to be a lesson for us,” he explained.
On Maignan as a penalty taker
“We rehearsed them as we always do before games in this competition. And I didn’t think about where to put Maignan.”
On the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona
“I think it’s great to play matches at this level because of the atmosphere in the stadium. It will definitely charge the Napoli players but it will also charge ours. We start at the same level, we have a very small advantage but we have to complete the task by playing a game of the highest level.”
Osimhen’s return
“We always take into great consideration the characteristics of our opponents, especially those of such a powerful and present opponent. However, we have our own way of playing to carry on. The matches we have played lately with Napoli have also been matches to know how to read, within the match you have to know how to dictate the pace, slow down, speed up and read the moments well.”
Brahim Diaz
“I think it’s clear to everyone that he is growing so much. He is a young guy but he has so much personality, he is a guy who likes to have pressure and he can handle it well. He’s growing so much, he’s becoming an absolute top footballer. Clearly, I would like to coach him again.”
Changes to the team
“Tomorrow will be the third game we play in a few days, and both we and they have interpreted situations differently. Surely there will be some different attitudes tomorrow as well. The first game was different in some offensive and defensive attitudes compared to the league game. Tomorrow it may be that there can be something different, whether it be players or positions.”
Giroud and Napoli’s physicality
“Giroud is fine. He had a small problem that he overcame, we managed him well in these last few days and he is ready to play. I don’t know what choices Spalletti will make to replace Anguissa, we will see tomorrow night.”
