After today’s important win against Cagliari, which ended 2-0 in favour of AC Milan, Stefano Pioli spoke to Sky Italia (via MilanNews.it) about the team’s performances and the importance of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The 38-year-old managed to get on the scoresheet, in addition to Rafael Leao, playing very well throughout the entire game. Certainly, you can tell that he’s had an impact on the team, even though he hasn’t been here for long.
“Today we have put in a different performance compared to the last one. We were more effective. Zlatan is an important reference point. It will still take some time to understand each other better, but the victory is deserved.
“Ibra? We must take advantage of the characteristics of the players, Zlatan won’t go so deep, he needs players close to him like Leao and Castillejo. The team has shown a desire to suffer and fight together, from this base we have to start again,” he began.
The manager was also asked about Leao, Paqueta and Piatek. The latter two (mainly the Polish international) have been linked with various clubs since the transfer window opened. Leao, meanwhile, is starting to find his groove under Pioli.
“Leao? He’s a player that guarantees us to attack with depth. Then you need also balance – the work of the entire team to support them. Piatek? He’s more of a no.9, a little less versatile than Leao. However, he also has the characteristics to do well in a strike duo.
“Paqueta? He’s working well, he’s in good condition. I made different choices for a team that could perform better with this game system. The choices are made to win the games and put the best team on the pitch,” he continued.
Having secured Ibrahimovic and Kjaer, the Rossoneri are expected to make a few more signings before the month has ended. In the interview, Pioli didn’t want to reveal anything on the matter, only stating that the market is ‘unpredictable’.
“The decisions are made to win the games, the evaluations we are making. The market is unpredictable,” he concluded.
READ MORE – Ibrahimovic to Sky: “The goal? For a striker, it’s important to score”
