After the big 5-1 win against Sampdoria, AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli spoke to the media and shared his thoughts on the must-needed win. Understandably so, he was happy about breaking the goal drought.
Milan were in dire need of three points after losing their last league game (against Spezia) and getting knocked out of the Champions League by Inter. Taking on the already-relegated Sampdoria, the Rossoneri got just the response they needed.
Speaking to Sky Italia, as cited by SempreMilan.it, Pioli shared his thoughts on the game and why everything worked out perfectly for his side. He was also asked about the upcoming transfer window and what Milan need to invest in.
You reacted well…
“It was good to play again, we had to let go of the disappointment suffered on Tuesday in the Champions League. We played a good game, scored many goals and this can only do us good for the final two league games.”
Games like these make the regrets grow?
“Let’s wait and see after the next two games, we’ll make the evaluations at the end. In the Champions League, we went beyond expectations, in the league we didn’t have enough continuity, this was our limit. Sunday against Juventus will be very important, when we play good football we have good qualities.”
On the route…
“It’s clear that the route we’ve taken has given us a lot of satisfaction, with a young group and an ownership that has kept the balance sheets in a profit. We are Milan, we want to be competitive in Italy and in Europe. However, I am proud of what the club, managers and players have done, I know how hard we are working to grow. I’m sure that from this season we will learn much more than the one in which we won the Scudetto.”
Ideal striker: replacement for Giroud, a young player to develop, or an already experienced one who can be a starter?
“A strong player. I think the goal this summer will be to improve the squad. The base is solid, the club has done well in developing the players who have allowed us to take this path. We have seen that there are no starters or reserves, players worthy of Milan are needed. Names? I don’t know anything.”
On his work…
“I am proud of the work we are all doing together. In a journey like this, there are moments of happiness and strong disappointments. We know what we want to do and who we are, we will try to continue to grow and give satisfaction to our fans: we have had ups and down.”
Will those who have struggled the most this year be sent on loan or will they still have your confidence?
“I can’t tell you, we forget too quickly the journey we’ve made and how our young players, who are great players today, have had difficulties: Tonali, Leao, all the young players arriving at Milan must have the time necessary to understand what it means to play in such an environment. Then the important thing is that they are of quality. The goal will be to improve the team together with the club.”
On De Ketelaere, have you already thought about loaning him out?
“I don’t know, we haven’t gone into that much detail yet. There are two important games left and we will evaluate everything at the end of the season.”
Milan will take on Juventus away from home next week and it’s a key game in the top-four race. Lazio, who are now just one point ahead of the Rossoneri, will face Udinese away from home tomorrow evening.
