AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli believes his side must show ‘quality, attention and determination’ if they are to beat Inter over two legs and get to the Champions League final in Istanbul.
Milan beat Serie A title winners Napoli in the quarter-final 2-1 over two legs while Inter got past Benfica to set up a first derby meeting in the semi-finals of the Champions League since the 2002-03 season.
The two teams approach the game having had their struggles in the league and with a top four place far from guaranteed at the moment, but the eyes of the world will be on the fascinating spectacle over six days that is to come.
Pioli spoke to the reporters who gathered at Milanello for his pre-match press conference on the eve of the first leg, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
Can the spirit from Rio Ave be useful?
“Yes, the spirit of the team has never failed. Of course, we also need quality, attention and determination.”
How is Leao doing?
“He worked on the grass, tomorrow he’ll try to push and then we’ll see. If he’s good, he’ll play.”
Are you taking risks with Leao?
“I’m going to bed peacefully tonight. Rafa and the doctor will inform me of the player’s conditions. If Leao is fine he will be called up, if he is not well he will not be called up.”
Given the previous matches against Inter, is this semi-final the most difficult or the most beautiful match?
“Definitely more difficult because it’s a semi-final of the Champions League, but it’s also great to play certain matches. The lads must be happy to experience certain moments. Tomorrow is only the first match, it’s a match played over 180 minutes.”
Are Inter favourites?
“For others they are the favourite, we want to give it a go. We have eliminated Tottenham and Napoli, we can play it against everyone.”
What will you ask of your team?
“In the Champions League we haven’t had ups and downs, we’ve had a great journey. We want to overcome the last step to reach the final, the motivations are at their highest.”
How will Milan change without Leao?
“Every coach aims to play with his best players. Leao has unique characteristics, if he doesn’t make it we’ll play with players with other characteristics.”
How important will San Siro’s contribution be?
“We expect a packed San Siro with great energy. We will try to take this energy and put it on the field from the first to the last minute.”
Could Leao even play as a starter?
“If tomorrow’s test goes well, he can play, if it doesn’t go well, he can’t play. I would have done this test today, but we played on Saturday and so we have to do it tomorrow.”
Might Saelemaekers be better on the left than the right?
“I’ve often used him in training on the left and he’s always looked good. He has excellent characteristics, we’ll see what choices I’ll make tomorrow.”
Inzaghi knows how to break Milan defense. Since we play a high line usually with 1-1 marking, he use Lautaro/Dzeko/Lukaku to hold the ball with defender pressing and let the wingers and midfielders to make the run through our defense and then a tricky pass to them. I think its better we sit deep like we did against Napoli.