AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has revealed that he has forbidden his team from telling him what is going on during Cagliari’s game against Inter.
The 2-0 victory against Atalanta at San Siro this afternoon ensured that Milan need just one point to lift the Scudetto when they travel to face Sassuolo next Sunday, and that’s if Inter don’t drop points against Cagliari tonight.
It was Rafael Leao who opened the scoring, showing immense composure to latch onto a Junior Messias ball over the top and finish between the legs of Musso, while with 15 minutes left a lung-busting run from box to box by Theo Hernandez ended up doubling the advantage and sealing a massive three points.
Pioli spoke to the reporters who gathered in the press conference room to reflect on the game and the three points, with MilanNews relaying his comments.
“Emotions? The fans have been there for a year and they give me very strong emotions. I couldn’t wait to say goodbye. It was right to celebrate the last game at home with them. We know that we still lack a little something, the work is not finished. We have passed another step,” he said.
What are you going to do tonight?
“I have forbidden anyone to tell me score. Now I’m already going and taking a shower, then we’ll see.”
Why didn’t Ibrahimovic come on?
“I thought different characteristics were needed. Ibra is always determined. His future? We haven’t talked about it, it will depend only on his will.”
Milan are almost there…
“The match against Lazio was heavy: we knew that if we lost it we would not be able to battle for the Scudetto. Then we overcame them all with pride, sacrifice and passion. What the team is doing from the point from a mental point of view it is incredible. If you win certain matches it means that we are strong mentally and in quality. Today we did very well in the defensive phase and to look for solutions against a team that leaves little space.”
What has changed about you?
“Gasperini complimented me before and after the match, we have been facing each other for a long time. Receiving the compliments of my colleagues is the most rewarding thing. I grew up as a man and as a coach. At Milan I felt in the right place and in the right moment.”
Did you think, when you arrived at Milan, that they could fight for the Scudetto?
“The first day I think not, but there was a desire to work with available players and the club. We fixed many situations with precise connections and this meant that the team rose in level. Then I always think positive.”
Little is said about Krunic…
“He is a very intelligent player, it is the luck of the coaches. He is always available. But if we look at the whole season Castillejo played little and scored against Verona, Maldini played little and scored against Spezia… But if we have arrived here it is because above all those who have played have never lacked in availability and respect.”
The team exceeded my expectations with 2-0. I only thought they could seal it with just 1-0.
Pioli showed that you can be the most hated in the crowd but if you know what’s right, you will produce the right results with your hard work.
Remember: In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury – PROVERBS 14:23 In other words: All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.