Following the impressive 4-0 win over Napoli, Stefano Pioli spoke to the media in his usual post-match interview. Understandably, the AC Milan manager was very happy with his team’s performance.
Milan took the lead quite early in the first half as Brahim Diaz did really well to set up Rafael Leao. Shortly after, the Spaniard bagged a goal himself and the Rossoneri headed into half-time with a 2-0 lead.
In the second half, Leao bagged another (stunning) goal and Alexis Salemaekers also joined the party with a solo run. Speaking to DAZN, as cited by MilanNews, Pioli shared his thoughts on the game and why they were so dominant.
What satisfies you the most about tonight?
“The win. It’s just the first step. I’ve heard many things, even justified things. It’s just the first step, there are 9 more league games to go. We threw away opportunities that we can’t throw away now.”
So now how will you face the Champions League?
“Tonight’s result will not affect the Champions League games. It will give me and my staff the opportunity to review the situations, but it doesn’t change anything. It will be an important and balanced match between two teams that are doing very well in the Champions League.
“Napoli have done better than us in the league, we won an important match tonight, but it’s only the first of the last final rush that should see us as protagonists. In order for this season to become a positive season, Milan need to qualify for next season’s Champions League”
How is Brahim Diaz?
“He went out because he had a minor discomfort in his adductor that he got because he slipped. He didn’t want to go out because he felt fine, but I preferred not to risk him. Among other things, I made a nice change (laughs) because Saelemaekers did well and it went well.”
What happened in these months?
“I had already decided before Udinese to play a 4-man defence against Napoli, because Napoli’s attack is difficult for us to face with a 3-man defence. Now it’s easy to say that with the change of system, we won the match, but let’s not forget the other system got us through in the Champions League. Anyway, no euphoria, a good performance against a great team but now we have to think about the next one.”
Will you change again in the Champions League?
“Good question. There are still 10 days to go, but above all we will focus on Empoli: it’s precisely those matches that have penalised us in the league, we haven’t been able to face them with the spirit necessary. We can’t throw away opportunities anymore, after Empoli we’ll have time to think about the Champions League.”
“Today’s performance will certainly give us confidence, but in the Champions League the games are different. Today we were very good at taking advantage of our chances. The next games against Napoli will need to be faced with the same mentality. There are so many things we can do even better.”
On belief…
“You know how much your mentality can make a difference. We had a month [January] that took away our certainties. This will do us good. Only the very big teams, the top clubs, manage to do well both in the league and in the Champions League.”
Leao is back…
“Leao never left. He scored two goals, one from a centre-forward role and one from out wide. These young guys, even when there are times when it seems like they aren’t improving, are instead assimilating and then they come out. Leao will become a champion because he has incredible potential and he’s a smart boy.”
Milan will face Empoli next (on Friday) and after that, they will be up against Napoli once again for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. Today’s win has given them some momentum, that’s for sure.
Nice one, mister!💕❤️🖤