AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli believes his side showed a better reading of the game in their 4-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg compared to the 1-1 draw in Austria.
Milan went into the match against Salzburg knowing that a draw would be enough to clinch a spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League and any notion that it would be a stressful evening had evaporated by the hour mark.
Olivier Giroud was the star of the show as he netted a header before the break to put the Rossoneri ahead, and he then turned provider for Rade Krunic before bagging a brace with a close range finish and finally setting Junior Messias up for the fourth.
Pioli spoke in an interview with Prime Video after the win against Salzburg to reflect on the performance and to look ahead to who might await in the next round, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
On the next round: “Whoever we meet will be a challenging and difficult opponent. But we are the Italian champions and we must try to go as far as possible.”
On the game: “In the first half we conceded too much, but we created a lot. We played with the will to always be dangerous. We tried to widen the game. After the 2-0 we took even more control of the game. It was a good Champions League match, with the two teams trying to score.”
On the attacking phase: “We wanted to try to give breadth to our game. Leao was a little closer to Giroud, while Theo and Rebic had to stay wider. The game changes could give us advantages and so it was. Unlike the away game, we read certain situations better.”
On the first part of the season: “We must not be afraid to aim high. Now let’s think about the league, let’s start again after the defeat in Torino. Spezia plays good football. We must try to do well in the last three games before the break to stay in wake to Napoli. Then we’ll see what the draw will say, I have strong players. Whoever faces us will find a willing and convinced Milan.”
Pioli was also interviewed by Sky Italia, with his comments again relayed by MilanNews.
On the victory: “We wanted to show that even in the Champions League we have grown compared to last season. Getting through was important but we must be ambitious beyond the very strong opponent we will meet. We are the champions of Italy and we want to play like that again in the next round. Now we have three important league games, we have to start pushing again and we don’t want to stray too far from Napoli. Saturday’s match will be very important.”
On the improvements: “It’s a step and it’s part of our path. We knew that last year the group was more difficult than this. We have so many things to do, there is certainly satisfaction for this first target. We have to look ahead, we can do well. There is a lot of room for growth and we demonstrated it again tonight. In the first half we conceded too much. We knew they pressed well. In all games there are situations that can be developed better. All my players can still do more.”
On Giroud: “Olivier is a strong player, he is a leader and a worker. He is doing the things that a player of his level must do. He is a point of reference, he is always smiling and motivated. He is helping us so much to grow.”
On his own satisfaction: “I am happy, because the week started badly. Then there was the renewal, this match but the important thing will be to finish it well.”
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