AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli knows that his side are on the brink of a special achievement, but also that full focus will be needed to get over the line.
In case of a win or draw against Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium this evening, the Rossoneri would win the 19th Scudetto in their history, but Pioli was keen to stress that even though the finish line seems close a lot of hard work is still needed to get there.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (via PianetaMilan) recall how back in the 2019-20 season Pioli chased away the shadow of Ralf Rangnick after a 2-1 win against the same opponent they will face today thanks to a double by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“We are at the beginning of an extraordinary path, by working in this way we will be increasingly competitive,” is what he said after that win.
Fast forward to today, and Pioli has been the key architect of a team that has gone from fighting for a spot in the Europa League to returning to the Champions League and now taking the title race down to the final game.
In his pre-match press conference, he said: “There were many elements that made me think positive. The incredible synergy with the technical area, with Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara with whom I speak every day, the support of the club and the owners, and of course my players, who are very, very talented. This is how the opportunity to achieve something important can arise.”
Milan could afford to draw the game and will be hoping that a defence that has kept 8 clean sheets in the last 10 games can get them another one that would guarantee the league title, but Pioli insisted playing conservatively is not on his agenda.
“We have prepared the game to play for Milan, we will try to be an attentive and balanced team,” he said. “Honestly, I didn’t need to do anything in particular this week. I told the team that we have been the best so far and that we will have to be the best at the end of this match as well. We are top with merit, we have built this great opportunity and now we have to get the job done. In sport it never counts what you have done but what you still have to do.”
About 18,000 Rossoneri fans will be present at the Mapei Stadium which will make it feel like a home game.
“The atmosphere has been magical for a few weeks, but from the first day I walked through the gates of Milanello I felt the right air, it’s the ideal place to work,” he said.
“I tell the fans that it will be a difficult match and that together we are certainly stronger. I will need my 28 players, but also all our supporters who will be in Reggio Emilia and those who unfortunately will not be able to be at the stadium. I have never felt so loved as at Milan.”
Keeping my feets on the ground but this will be one special evening for us….loose or win this team already made me proud to say I am a rossoenro…..win or loose we always love Milan…..
Yes this team has already done us proud this season ,but I honestly believe we will win the scuddeto this season …I think the experience of Zlatan and Olivier have been a big boost to this young squad ,,,and I believe experience of Olivier Giroud will be a very Important factor today …love to see him score ..
Yes this Ac Milan team are so exciting to watch ..
I can’t wait for this game to come and AC Milan to be crowned worthy champions.
I have never been this nervous in spot like today ,I pray this ends in our favour ,Forza Milan