Sassuolo head coach Alessio Dionisi has admitted to being left feeling motivated by the fact some Milan fans have ‘taken a victory against them for granted’.
Milan travel to the Mapei Stadium with quite a simple equation facing them: they must draw or win against Sassuolo in order to be crowned winners of the Scudetto ahead of their city rivals Inter, who are playing at the same time (18:00 CEST) against Sampdoria at San Siro.
It will not be an easy task at all though with Sassuolo a dangerous side, something their 3-1 win against the Rossoneri earlier this season showed, while they have a lot of talent in the forward group and they are pushing for a top half finish.
Dionisi spoke about the game and responded to the idea that Milan have been made strong and clear favourites to get the result they need and win the title.
“They give us few chances, I realise that. And I understand a little bit. Milan are the best team and they have had a lot of good results. The Rossoneri deserve first and I understand that some, indeed many, take their victory against us for granted. But for Sassuolo that result is not at all obvious. We will not be a sparring partner, that’s for sure,” he said (via SempreMilan.it).
On the huge amount of Rossoneri fans that will be present: “Yes, but also in our favour. Against Juve, for example, there were many people at the Mapei Stadium and we played well and lost undeservedly. The full stands are a stimulus for the players.”
On Milan: “We have nothing to lose, but we have the qualities to put them in trouble. Of course, for the first time we are challenging a great team that has more motivation than us. But we know what to do, hoping it will be enough. We always try to impose the game, but if it happens we attack quickly like Milan, who can hurt everyone in spaces and fast transitions.”
On Maignan: “Individual qualities, team organisation. And then a personality that they have found during the season. Now they have a different awareness, all the performers have grown up. And Maignan is the strongest goalkeeper in Serie A.”
Finally, on Pioli’s work “I respect Pioli a lot, as a coach and as a man. After our victory at San Siro he waited for me in the tunnel to compliment me. Great. I don’t know if I would have succeeded, I hope so. He made a splendid gesture.”
What Milan fans have taken victory for granted? Everyone I know is on pins and needles. This has been the longest week of my life and the most nerves I’ve felt before a game since Athens.
Same here