AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli has said that the Rossoneri have already ‘filed away’ the derby win over Inter and also talked about his meeting with new president Gerry Cardinale.
Speaking during the press conference ahead of the Champions League match against RB Salzburg which takes place on Tuesday night (via Milan News), Pioli was very quick to point out that his team are not dwelling on the win over Inter.
They beat the Nerrazurri 3-2 on Saturday evening thanks to two goals from Rafael Leao and one from Olivier Giroud. The win took Milan above their rivals in the Serie A table.
“The success in the derby, we filed it away the next morning, this is a different game and a different competition. Now there is a complicated opponent, last year at home in the Champions League they never lost,” Pioli pointed out.
He also talked about the meeting that he had with RedBird Capital Group founder Cardinale following the official takeover of the club. He described the meeting as very positive.
“The meeting with Cardinale was very positive, he’s a person with great passion and charisma. Milan is a solid club,” Pioli said.
Pioli says that he will not be making the final selection for his team until after the training session on Tuesday morning: “I’ll make the choices tomorrow morning in the final training session.
“Today everyone seemed to be well, that’s important. For the rotations I had already prepared them beforehand but the matches will tell me how to interpret them from time to time.”
The clubs aim in Europe…
“To show that last year’s experience has served us well and we have grown. We only have to think about tomorrow’s match, starting with a positive result would be important.”
The emotion of playing in the Champions League…
“We have to play with enthusiasm but whilst respecting our opponents, with awareness of our qualities and characteristics.”
On the fitness of Krunic and Florenzi…
“On Florenzi we’re waiting for the communication from the medical staff, Krunic has been included in the squad because we believe he can be available from the next Champions League game.”
Which Salzburg matches were focused on in preparation?
“All of them, we have seen them all, even the friendlies. We believe we have prepared for the match well but our opponents know how to move the ball very well: a complete team to be faced with respect but at the same time with great determination.”
On facing intense European sides…
“Tomorrow will be a good test, Salzburg is of the highest level in terms of quality and pace. We have prepared ourselves to put our qualities into play.”
On Salzburg…
“They have a lot of very strong prospects who can probably follow in the footsteps of [Erling] Haaland and [Sadio] Mane. They are a very strong team that we respect.”
