AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli stressed the importance of his team taking each game as it comes, revealing that he believes there are still areas they can improve significantly.
After suffering the huge setback pf the 5-1 derby defeat against Inter a couple of weeks ago, Milan have stabilised and recovered well. A 0-0 Champions League draw with Newcastle (which they should have won) was followed by back-to-back league wins.
The first was 1-0 home victory against Hellas Verona that restored a bit of defensive confidence in an ugly game, then on Wednesday night the 3-1 triumph in Cagliari with a heavily rotated side saw a couple more forward steps taken.
After finishing second last season Lazio have not had a great start in 2023-24 having won just two of their first six games, but one of those was against Napoli and the other in midweek so they remain a dangerous proposition.
Pioli spoke to the reporters who gathered in the conference room at Milanello on the eve of the game against Lazio to answer questions, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
Did playing matches against top teams in the summer and against both Roma and Inter early in the season help?
“Yes, they taught us a lot. To play certain matches you need to keep your attention high. Tomorrow we face a great team.”
Will you arrive at tomorrow in the best possible way?
“We’re fine, we want to find the right continuity to do well in the league and in the Champions League. We just have to focus on tomorrow. We’ve always experienced the negative and positive moments with balance.
“The derby wasn’t the end of our journey, but a new beginning from which to restart. Now we are not perfect, we are not flawless, but we can put in our best performance tomorrow.”
How much does Leao irritate you with some attitudes?
“If someone misses a pass it doesn’t mean he has taken a game lightly. Obviously someone like Rafa must make as few mistakes as possible.”
Is the depth of the squad an asset?
“I hope this is the case. We are only at the beginning, there will still be many games and difficulties to overcome. I am convinced of the quality of my players, but we must continue like this. After the break a new season has begun, to stay at the top we need be strong in everything. Now let’s just think about tomorrow.”
Is there a percentage that your Milan are at now?
“In my opinion there are various situations in the match where we are at a good level, others where we can still grow a lot. But it’s normal, we’ve had a lot of changes.
“But I insisted with the players: only tomorrow’s match counts. Playing so much helps in a positive way to throw away the previous game and immediately think about the next one.”
Is returning to the top stimulating?
“Top spot means nothing now, only the desire to do well counts. There are no easy games, but there are no impossible games either. I’m happy with what I’ve seen in these two days.”
Where did you hide Adli? When did you develop the idea of putting him in front of the defence?
“He had great patience and also great mental strength given that he didn’t play much. As a midfielder we were looking for players with different characteristics, so I told him that the role of midfielder in front of the defence remained with Krunic.
“He needed time to understand a new position and new build-up both in possession and non-possession phases: as a playmaker you play in one way, as a midfielder another way.
“We know that he cannot be perfect in that position yet, but with his willingness we can do an excellent job. The fact that he is convinced he can find playing time is excellent for someone who plays at this level.”
Will you also rotate on defence?
“Kalulu’s injury wasn’t needed. I have three central defenders because Pellegrino still needs some time. I’ll evaluate from game to match between the three central defenders I have.”
Is Tomori pivotal for Milan?
“I hope that nobody indispensable to Milan. We don’t want to become slaves to anyone. The club was good at bringing in so many strong players and our principles don’t change depending on who plays.”
Do you need to improve your game management?
“We want to control the match, but this doesn’t mean a want to slow down the pace. In Cagliari we had a serious error, conceding a goal from a throw-in. It’s ok to manage, but we have to continue to be dangerous.”
Where can Musah play?
“Musah can play in all three positions. He has different characteristics from Krunic and Adli, while he has the quality of runs when he plays forward. He has characteristics that will be useful to us, he is a complete player and wherever I use him he will be important for the team.”
What kind of a Lazio team will arrive at San Siro tomorrow?
“Lazio have been playing together for years with an excellent coach and have recognisable lines of play, with great speed and great quality. Regardless of their moment, they are a strong team.”
How is Chukwueze doing?
“He knows well what he has to do and he did it in Cagliari. We also expect goals from someone like him, but he is growing.”
Too much criticism after the derby?
“When the calendar came out, I didn’t look too far ahead. I thought about preparing every single match. It’s useless to talk about the criticism – we are Milan, we want to win and be competitive.
“The club is following a wonderful path, already capable of winning and to put the accounts right. Everyone is working very well. We are Milan, the praise and criticism are high. It’s part of our job.”
Can Reijnders play in front of the defence?
“Yes, he can do it too, but I think his position and that of Loftus-Cheek are giving us a lot at the moment. I like Tijjani a lot when he moves on the pitch, fixing him in a more construction position in my opinion would mean limiting him.”
When will Bennacer return?
“Bennacer will return in mid-October to do a little more specific work, but there are no specific times. The recovery time will still be quite long.”
How do you see Milan and Inter?
“At the end of May we will know who was the best. There are four teams that will fight for the Scudetto, with Juve the favourite because not playing in Europe brings you points.”
Can Milan switch to 4-2-3-1?
“I’m thinking about it because Pulisic is well and in midfield we have five for six places. Then I like Loftus-Cheek as a mezzala, these are things that need to be tested a bit. At the moment we are working on other solutions, but the 4-2-3-1 during the game is an option.”
Is Okafor the deputy to Giroud?
“I knew him as a winger but I wanted to test him as a central striker. He was very willing. I’m happy with what he did in Cagliari. Obviously he has different characteristics from Giroud, as well as from Jovic. We will also be able to play with two strikers in some matches.”
What are you afraid of Lazio?
“They will be aggressive, but they won’t go man for man. They know how to close spaces well. We will have to dribble well and avoid their pressure. They want to keep the ball, it’s a complete team to be faced with attention.”
Is it already a head to head clash?
“It’s early, but it’s an important clash. It would be important to give continuity to results and performances.”
We have got to praise Adli for the way he treated this situation; even though he didn’t play much last season, he didn’t complain or bash the coach in interviews. The support he gets on social media is insane; even Theo and Leao don’t get such praise from fans. But questions need to be asked about this man. Pioli was winning to play Brahim/CDK as a number 10, even though they didn’t perform great. I don’t know if I am exaggerating this, but Adli would have been much better than either of them in a creative role.
“he is a complete player and wherever I use him he will be important for the team”…thats got to be good to hear after no one had his back at the end of the game.
“as a playmaker you play in one way, as a midfielder another way.” Ok fine but he didn’t give him a chance in the playmaker role either.
Something ain’t right here
Yeah. He’s speaking out of both sides of his mouth trying to not look at fault.
Adli is patience
Fans are impatience
Pioli is stubborn
Best way to sum that up!
Yes Stefano Pioli will soon become a master in tactical analysis because having the 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2 for acmilan will take Acmilan a long way now that will have 2 attacking midfield with Romero as a winger is quite impressive will expect more from leao, chukwueze, pulisic,musah, Romero then at defensive midfield Loftus cheek, pobega,krunic but rejinder is utility he can play as defensive midfield and also as attacking midfield but not winger Acmilan are Good to go with Pioli stefano thanks Milan
Gotta step on the gas there Stefano and start producing some modern fast eu football. Fans can only stomack so much of ‘by the hair’ unwatchable wins..
Yall was on the right track in the first 2 games, where that went to? First setback in the form of inter and boom we are back to 22/23 football.. Boring, slow, waiting for opposition to make a mistake
“We will also be able to play with two strikers in some matches.”
I’m waiting for it.
That fool never backup Samuel Chuko !!!!! Always got some stupid sh** to say about him. The most talented player Milan has bought since Rafael Leao !!!!!!!