AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has revealed that he is looking forward to the games against Spurs in the Champions League but he is expecting a far from easy tie.
Pioli spoke to the media at his pre-match press conference on the eve of the trip to Cremonese, with his comments relayed by MilanNews, and as part of it he was asked for some reaction to the draw.
“They will be difficult matches against a strong team coached by a manager who knows us. It will be a great challenge that we want to play with great confidence,” he said.
It will see Pioli come up against Antonio Conte again after the pair contested some very memorable Derby della Madonnina clashes when the latter was the head coach of Inter, and the Milan boss is aware how familiar he is with Serie A.
“He is a great coach, who has won so much everywhere. He gives a clear identity and a great mentality to his team; Tottenham is very compact and organised with very strong individuals, like Kane, Son, Kulusevski, Perisic, with many who know Milan and Italian football. On paper I think it could be a balanced tie.”
Milan’s record against English clubs is not good – as the two defeats against Liverpool in last season’s competition and the two against Chelsea this time show – but there is a chance to right some wrongs.
“The level of the Premier League is very high, but now there are also three Italian clubs. We will play the first leg at home and it will be a factor, we must do well.”
Finally, Pioli was asked could be decisive in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
“Anyone must go on the field thinking they are decisive.”
