AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli is feeling ‘very satisfied’ after his side secured a huge 2-0 victory over Atalanta to move closer to the Scudetto.
Milan went into the game against their Lombardy rivals knowing that the needed four points from their final two games to secure a first league title since 2010-11, and they got three of them thanks to two goals in the second half.
It was Rafael Leao who opened the scoring, showing immense composure to latch onto a Junior Messias ball over the top and finish between the legs of Musso, while with 15 minutes left a lung-busting run from box to box by Theo Hernandez ended up doubling the advantage and sealing a massive three points.
Pioli spoke to DAZN after the game to reflect on what is arguably the biggest win of the season, with his comments relayed by MilanNews and translated below.
On the fans: “I had to say goodbye, it was the last match. It is a year that make us excited. The work is not finished yet, we need a week in which we have to work hard and be calm.”
On the performance: “I am very satisfied because we were facing a strong team. Defensively we conceded little. We tried many things to try to find the right solution in the attacking zone. This victory is another great reward for the boys.”
On the attitude of the squad: “All the previous games have taught us that it is in the head then we have the quality to win the game. The latest victories have given us even more confidence. We still have defects, but we always try to show our quality.
On the last few days: “I’m having normal weeks at Milanello because I see the guys calm and calm and working in the right way. I see the guys focused and confident. The fans today gave us a great boost. I think about doing another week like that. I showed the guys an interview with Kobe Bryant in which he said that, despite being 2-0 up in the NBA playoffs, the work was not done yet. And the same goes for us, we have done a lot, but not everything yet. So concentration, determination and serenity.”
On the way Milan played: “It’s the thing that makes me most proud. The boys have always been very helpful, we asked them for new playing principles, they needed time. Now we still have a week of work left, then we’ll see what happens.”
Pioli, nobody has to tell you that you are One of the best coaches in the world! I give you this name ” The Right One”❤️🖤
I agree.pioli is on 🔥
Let it go round the world the new name we Milan fans have given pioli ‘the right man for joy’