Stefano Pioli has insisted that he is not worried about AC Milan’s recent performances as he answered questions on the integration of new signings and his heavy rotations.
Milan will face off against Lazio at San Siro tomorrow afternoon and they are getting into the territory of every game being a must-win, especially after dropping points at home against Cremonese in midweek.
That result combined with the fact all other top four rivals won barring Roma means that securing a place in the next edition of the Champions League is an uphill task, especially with the two-legged semi-final against Inter to come.
Pioli spoke to the reporters who were present in the media room at Milanello for his pre-match press conference on the eve of the game against Lazio, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
Napoli clinched the Scudetto last night…
“It’s a very strong team that deserves compliments. They deserved the Scudetto. Congratulations to all of them. Watching the celebrations, I watched ours back from last year, we hope to repeat them soon.”
What is the current moment like?
“Since the break onwards, the team has dominated the games more than before, but we only got two victories. We should have won more, but if we didn’t succeed, it means that something was missing, especially in the opponent’s box. Tomorrow we play against a strong team, we have to be more concrete.”
Is tomorrow the last train for the Champions League?
“The team knows the chances we had we threw away and they know we can’t throw away any more. Tomorrow is an important match.”
Do you have any regrets?
“I know what I’m doing and why I’m doing it, I know how to take responsibility. There isn’t a Milan 1 or Milan 2. The performance wasn’t lacking, but the final result.”
What does it take to be more clinical?
“I know my players well and they believe in it. We worked on certain situations. Out of 16 total victories, we were ahead 12 times. We need to be more attentive, precise and determined in the attacking phase. I’m confident, we have to go on playing with courage.”
Has any message arrived from the ownership?
“The owners and managers are always close to us. We all know that it is the decisive month, we just think about doing our best.”
Why did all of the newcomers except Thiaw find little space?
“They have the qualities to be important players. We can do more.”
Do you need more composure?
“We’re fine, we’re not worried. The team is willing and focused. If the results don’t come we have to work better and that’s what we’re doing.”
How is De Ketelaere doing?
“He’s the first one who must not give up and that’s what he’s not doing. Each player must take advantage of the opportunities that are given to him.”
Why didn’t Rebic come on against Cremonese?
“I chose players with other characteristics. I make choices to win matches and therefore my choices are made based on what is needed on the pitch.”
What went wrong this year?
“It’s not a matter of scheduling. Each season makes its own story. We need to be lucid and say that we set off to win the league again. Last year we made the leap when we left the Champions League.
“This year we’re doing very well in Champions League. After January there was no consistency to fight to win the Scudetto. Only City among the European leaders can still win the Champions League and the league, we’re not at those levels there.”
On Sunday the changes didn’t help?
“I think positive. With Cremonese the changes made the game worse because we took different positions. I liked the first half, we got nervous in the second.”
Has Milan’s game devolved?
“No, I don’t think so. Results make judgments change. One of my goals was to dominate matches more and we’re succeeding. In the last two games we conceded goals in transition and we need to do better on this. For what we do during the match we have to score more”.”
There is a lot of talk about your rotation choices…
“I make my own assessments and I was convinced they were the right choices.”
Should the Champions League be enjoyed?
“I meet a lot of fans and everyone is happy with our progress in the Champions League. We don’t play in the semi-finals of the Champions League every year. Everything will be there in those matches. We have to do better in the league and finish in the top four.”
How is the team managed?
“We only have to think about the first game, then there will be time to prepare for the next. Tomorrow is very important, there is maximum concentration for Lazio. They are second in the standings, they had a boost after getting knocked out in Europe.”
How will you face Lazio?
“They are very strong centrally, they have a great midfield. It’s a complete team, we’ll have to be compact and then try to exploit our qualities.”
Could the result against Lazio affect your commitment in the Champions League?
“No because the Champions League is a separate thing. Now let’s think about Lazio, then we’ll think about the derby.”
““I know what I’m doing and why I’m doing it” and then…
“Why didn’t Rebic come on against Cremonese?”
“I chose players with other characteristics. I make choices to win matches and therefore my choices are made based on what is needed on the pitch.”
LOL. Pioli has no idea what he’s doing and how to wing relegating teams. Chose players with other characteristics? Is “contributing nothing” a characteristic? Because that’s what CDK & Zerogi do. If Pioli’s plan was to make winning way harder than it had to be, then fielding the two Belgians was the right call.
*how to win…
“Each player must take advantage of the opportunities that are given to him”
how about adli 4 “opportunaties” and thats it?