AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has confirmed Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s absence in the Liverpool game while discussing the thrill of returning to the Champions League.
Pioli spoke during an interview with Sky ahead of his official press conference on the eve of the trip to Anfield to face Jurgen Klopp’s side and he began by discussing what will be Milan’s first game in the competition in seven years, with his words transcribed by MilanNews.
“Tomorrow I will be able to say what the excitement will be, until today the concentration was on the preparation of the match. We arrived here with enthusiasm and energy and we will try to put them on the field again tomorrow evening,” he said.
“The history of Milan speaks of AC Milan in the Champions League but for 7 years the team has not been in this competition. Now we want to try to write the history of Ibra, Kjaer, Kessie, Bennacer and Calabria.
“We will try to play our game against a strong opponent, coached by a great coach and who won the Champions League two years ago. We do not hide the difficulties of this match but we arrived here with our qualities ”
According to MilanNews among other sources, Ibrahimovic will not be available to head coach Pioli for tomorrow’s match against Liverpool as the Swedish forward will be out due to suffering pain in his Achilles tendon.
“He left the game on Sunday with a sore tendon, we hoped he could recover on the rest day but he didn’t. Today he tried with the team but we decided not to risk him as a precaution.”
One player who is enjoying a fantastic start to the season is Sandro Tonali but he too missed training due to intestinal problems during the night, though he should be available.
“Sandro had a small indisposition but he will start with us tomorrow but I think he can be available in tomorrow’s match. He has always worked with great availability and attention and now he has all the qualities to be a starter for this Milan.”
Liverpool have made a good start in the Premier League having won three of their first four games.
“We know what the characteristics of Liverpool are. It is a very vertical team with two very fast strikers like Manè and Salah who know how to penetrate the area with speed. There are always two phases of play. When we have the ball we must have the personality and the technical quality to find the right spaces ”
Finally, on Giroud: “Two weeks off for Giroud affected his condition, it’s a shame because he was really well. Two days are not enough to get back to having 90 minutes but a segment of the race will be ok. The doubt will be about who will play between Rebic and Giroud and who will then take over.”
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