Stefano Pioli spoke during the press conference ahead of the Serie A fixture against Cagliari, these are his statements:
What is the meaning of tomorrow’s match against Cagliari?
“We have to be ready, a difficult match awaits us, the opponent has collected less than he deserved, they can field players like Nainggolan, Godin, Joao Pedro. Expert and prepared players, we must be too.”
The players speak well of Milan…
“The positivity of the environment, the harmony with the club makes us a very close-knit and cohesive group. The team is playing with head and heart, these are characteristics we must insist on.”
How much would Milan lose with the absences of Theo Hernàndez and Hakan Calhanoglu?
“These are important absences for us. We must have our team ready and double our energies. The qualities that we will demonstrate tomorrow will be important and they will make us play a great match.”
“We have to keep working, the title of winter champion counts very little. We need to be focused on tomorrow’s race, it’s difficult, considering it the most important match of the championship.”
On Ibrahimovic’s recovery:
“It is very important, we all know his technical depth and character. He has overcome muscle problems, I have seen him well these days, he is ready to play tomorrow against Cagliari.”
How are you dealing in view of the situation of Covid?
“We are used to it, we are ready. I expect players to always be ready, to always be in training and matches. These are critical issues that must be addressed with determination and conviction in the strength of the team. In these situations we have always found new energy and new opportunities to demonstrate our value.”
On suffering more setbacks than opponents
“It is a special season for everyone, not just for us. A month ago we had the whole team available, in this situation these moments can happen. We have shown that we are compact, which is why the club has made a competitive squad group available for me.”
How much can Mandzukic give to this team?
“We have a very important game tomorrow, I can’t comment on the players I don’t have available. I have a lot of confidence in my managers, the club will strengthen the team if there is a chance.”
Is it better to meet Cagliari in crisis or in confidence?
“It is difficult to make these evaluations in the pre-match, the games must always be faced with respect, we want to try to command the game knowing that there will be suffering.”
What do you think of Meité?
“He makes a department that already had a certain solidity even more competitive. He combines quality and quantity, I like him very much, I saw that he is very eager to play. I also liked when he spoke, proving to be an ambitious player.”
“We live AC Milan on a daily basis, the club protects and stimulates us, always ready to improve a group of players that is proving to be very competitive. Given the injuries and the particular season, in addition to the fatigue because of many obligations, the club will be ready to reinforce the team if there is an opportunity.”
Did you expect such a path a year ago?
“I have always had a lot of faith in my players. January 2020 was very important for the market and the additions of the mercato, they gave us an important contribution and we have grown a lot. Expecting such growth was not easy, but we worked with care and consistency. My players and I are aware that we still have a lot of room for improvement. Now that we are on this path, we want to stay there for a long time. “
What are the changes when Ibrahimovic plays or not?
“The team has shown that they have well-executed game ideas. Strong teams are able to exploit the characteristics of individuals, we have to play well as a unit. Saying that we play better without Ibrahimovic is something that is neither in heaven nor on earth. You have a better chance of winning matches if you carry on an idea throughout the entirety of the match.”
On Kjaer’s contribution for the defense
“Simon is an important presence also for his way of communicating. His way of being on the pitch helps us a lot. The team knows they have to work intensely in the defensive phase throughout the match. But, we are an attacking team and we must try to create more chances than the opponent.”
