AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli believes that dreaming is good for his side ahead of what will be a ‘180-minute match’ against Napoli.
Milan will play in their first Champions League quarter-final since the 2011-12 campaign tomorrow as they host Napoli at San Siro in an all-Italian battle between the current champions and the team now almost certain to take the crown.
Though Luciano Spalletti’s men are over 20 points ahead in the league and will soon win only their second Scudetto, Milan provided a reminder of how good they can be by beating them 4-0 in Naples 10 days ago.
Pioli will be hoping to engineer another tactical masterclass like that tomorrow night, and he spoke to the reporters who gathered at Milanello for his pre-match press conference with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
Will there be balance tomorrow?
“I think so, but everything will be different tomorrow. It’s a 180-minute match. We have to play a great game.”
Would you sign up for a 1-0 win now?
“We have to think about playing a great game.”
What do Milan need tomorrow?
“Attention is essential. We cannot lower this level because it would be risky.”
How does the Champions League anthem change the gap in the league?
“The league is another story. We have shown that we are worthy of the Champions League. We have to give our all, and be concentrated.”
Dreamers or realists?
“With the power of our dreams we won the Scudetto. So dreaming is good for us.”
Do you think history will take the field tomorrow?
“San Siro will take the field, our fans will give us a push to be able to do our best.”
Do you feel less pressure than Napoli?
“I don’t think so, we’re talking about the Champions League and our dreams. We’re calm because we’ve prepared well, we have to play with our enthusiasm. Both teams will be charged up. Reaching the semi-final would be great.”
What are you afraid of about Napoli?
“They’ve scored the second-most goals in Champions League. There are eight of us left and they’re all strong, but we’ve prepared well.”
Will you play like ten days ago in the league?
“We start from 0-0, I expect balanced games. We have prepared well, we also expect something different from them.”
How would it change things having to play against a false nine?
“I don’t know what choices Spalletti will make, when I was talking about changes I was talking about attitudes in the defensive phase. I don’t know if they’ll come get us or wait for us. My boys have to read the different situations and find space.”
Why are you having so many ups and downs this year?
“The only thing that matters is that we show ourselves tomorrow. Then, at the end of the season we will make evaluations. The season is still long. The finish will determine the positivity of our work.”
