AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has admitted that his team will not be at their best after a month together, but listed three qualities that they must show.
Some have raised concerns about what was seen in preseason, in which Milan won none of their games out in the United States and generally failed to inspire at either end. Defensive errors were committed like last season, and open play goals were hard to come by.
Nevertheless, the new season is upon us and tomorrow night’s opening game against Bologna at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara provides a chance to silence all the doubters.
Pioli spoke to the reporters who gathered at Milanello for his first pre-match press conference of the season (read in full here), and he began by answering a questions about the best things he saw in preseason and what most be improved.
“After a month, the mechanics can’t be perfect. We’ve worked on many situations and tomorrow we’ll go onto the pitch with clear ideas. The games will tell us where we are but there will be a lot of work to do.”
A journalist then asked him about the possibility of this being an ‘intrepid’ Milan, one that plays fearlessly and with adventure, which he responded to by urging his side to show three traits.
“I think it should be an intrepid Milan that cannot do without three characteristics: ideas, carrying them forward with conviction; quality; sacrifice. If we manage to combine these three factors we will be able to obtain some satisfaction.”
No
Confused manager! Who goes into a season with doubts? Perhaps ey don’t want to openly tell us that this season is a write off for Milan that’s why President stardoni avoider the question of the scudetto. And Pioli alibi that imperfections should be expected even in the champions league, the coppa Italia and the league! So why do we have to watch a full season of football without any set objectives, goals and what are view? Set of clowns altogether
Adel you must be sick in your head
a coach that faces big changes to tactics and personnel would likely have doubts…why would you want him to lie about that? It’s part of a longer term plan that was decided on by management and the goals will be to show improvement throughout the course of the year at a rate that is satisfactory to them…
Our 3 characteristics are Leao Theo and Mike