On the eve of the clash between AC Milan and Roma, Stefano Pioli spoke to the media at his usual pre-match press conference. After the win against Salernitana, the manager is optimistic heading into this one.
The Rossoneri clinched three crucial points against Salernitana and gained the same amount on Napoli, who lost against Inter. First place is thus just five points away and the Scudetto race is well and truly alive.
Speaking at his usual press conference, as cited by MilanNews, Pioli shared his thoughts on the game and also gave an update on the condition of Mike Maignan. The goalkeeper is still recovering from his calf injury.
Some words on Vialli…
“We faced each other many times, I marked him often. 2023 didn’t start well, we are losing a champion of sport and life for all the values he has always transmitted. A generous, correct, tenacious, coherent person. A strong sadness, I feel like giving our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. It was a lot of stuff.”
On Roma…
“A strong, well-structured and complete team. They combine good play in the build-up with physicality. A team that beat Inter and that we will respect a lot. We’ll be back at San Siro after 50 days and we will play with enthusiasm and energy.”
A medical report and De Ketelaere’s condition…
“Tomorrow we will be the same as in Salerno, I hope to recover someone for the Coppa Italia match. Charles is fine and ready from a physical and mental point of view. I rely heavily on him.”
On not being able to kill the games…
“We can do better, we know how important it is to unblock games, we are among the teams that score the most at the start of the match, I still think it is important to continue creating many goal chances. For the quality of my players, you have to score a few more goals.”
On Giroud working overtime…
“He’s doing very well mentally and physically. In the immediate future, I don’t see any difficulties. The next 8 weeks will be demanding, there will be a need for ready players and I’m seeing positive attitudes from my players. We’ll face the next stages with concentration but always with attention to the next one.”
Do you believe in the comeback?
“I don’t think that much can be changed in one match, we’re not there to count the points behind Napoli. To win the Scudetto, we have to claim a lot of points, we have to raise our level.”
Is there a timeline for Maignan?
“We don’t have timelines, we’re going with the evaluations that the staff are making. I can’t say today if it will be in 2-3-4-5 weeks. Mike has all our support and is very eager, but he knows that we have to respect the timing because the muscle hasn’t responded as it should have.”
On Vasquez…
“I spoke to him this morning. Nice presence, and a nice personality. He hasn’t trained for five days being on the road, today he only did a small part of the session. We’ll see in the next few days and then we’ll see for the next matches how his condition will be and what will my choices be.”
On Vranckx from start…
“The possibility exists in every single game. We pick up after the break, I think giving continuity is the right choice. He and Thiaw are two guys with quality and availability, with particular characteristics and they’re ready to play.”
On the right-hand side…
“Davide is a very strong player and I’ve never had any doubts. An intelligent and clean player in the game, we can get out of pressing better, he gives us more solutions. Whoever plays has his own characteristics, the important thing is to maintain balance and game concepts. Davide knows how to stay on and off the pitch, he knows how to attack, he knows how to play diagonally: he’s complete.”
On Leao’s renewal…
“It’s a very hot period because he has to keep playing well (laughs). For the renewal, you have to ask other people. We don’t talk about the contract with the boy, we talk about the pitch, we talk about tomorrow’s match. He knows he has to continue like this, he has the ability to be decisive in all matches.”
On Ibrahimovic…
“Ibra will be back next week as was foreseen in his work schedule and as was foreseen with the surgeon who did the surgery. Then from there, we will see how his recovery will go and when he will be able to play again.”
What does Leao need to become a champion?
“Playing all the matches as he played in Salerno. He played an intense, complete match with quality and an attitude that allowed him to stay in the match for all 95 minutes, with the ball and without the ball.”
Tonali’s warning…
“I talk to him every day, but not about yellow cards, but to better prepare for tomorrow’s match.”
On Kjaer…
“Kjaer had a World Cup with some problems but not with a specific injury, but his condition is improving. I think that he will be back with us soon.”
The game is scheduled for 20:45 CET and San Siro is expected to be sold out for the game. The support of the fans will not be lacking, in other words, and it will be up to the Milan players to continue their fine form.
