AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has explained his thinking when selecting between Alexis Saelemaekers and Junior Messias, while he also preached the importance of two young midfielders.
Pioli spoke at his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to face Atalanta and was asked about a number of different topics including the work still to be done on the transfer market, the condition of the squad and the Scudetto battle.
As part of the presser, he was asked by one journalist about the differences between Saelemaekers and Messias in terms of the strengths they offer on the right side, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
“Junior can be better at giving us width and Alexis at going between the lines. It depends on what we need and they are two high-performing guys, both ready to play.”
Amid rumours of a new contract offer and interest from Liverpool, Pioli was asked how important Ismael Bennacer is to his style of play given he is now seemingly an immovable member of the double pivot.
“Bennacer combines quantity and quality, he is a complete and strong player. If we want to build with the two midfielders they will be more available to build. It depends on the opponents and on what we want to do. By now both he and Sandro know how to read these things.”
Pioli also waxed lyrical about another young midfielder in Sandro Tonali, who has returned from a muscle injury that forced him to miss the season-opening game against Udinese.
“Sandro? A complete midfielder. He needs experience of situations to interpret. I discovered a man with great humility and desire to work. He knows he must continue on this path, he must be ambitious because he has great potential. But he must maintain this desire, generosity and the feeling of being a Milanista. When you play with passion you can give something extra.”
