Stefano PioliMilan coach, is present at the press conference starting from 2pm to answer journalists’ questions on the eve of the match between Juventus and Milan, valid for the 34th matchday of Serie A and scheduled for tomorrow at 6pm at the Allianz Stadium.
Follow all of Pioli’s statements in the conference live with the live text on TMW.
11:00 | Stefano Pioli’s press conference now begins.
In the important period of April there is also the match against Juventus...
“It absolutely has to be like this, also unfortunately due to the recent negative results. The focus must be on finishing second. It’s been a difficult 10 days.”
What days were they?
“It’s easy, in quotes, because we can’t stop at these disappointments that we have suffered and that we have given to these fans, so we necessarily have to have the desire, the redemption, to remain compact and the desire to win matches up to the championship. We suffer from these situations, but we have a duty to get back up.”
What is needed tomorrow?
“We will have to fight, give our all, as if it were the last match: be focused, determined. We want to defend second place.”
Is Inter stronger?
“That we gave everything, yes, but we weren’t always able to put our qualities on the field. Inter have had the strongest team in the championship for four years and have only won two championships. We’ve never had that, we have won a championship, but we gave everything, even though we weren’t able to raise our level of play.”
What’s the point of these last games?
“We want to demonstrate who we are, that we are Milan.”
How do you rate these 5 years as positive or negative?
“There has been no middle ground in these 5 years, either positive or negative. If I could change the result of the derbies I would give everything I have, but it can no longer be done. I for one have to have broad shoulders. It was a strong pain to see the opponents celebrate”.
Who will be captain tomorrow?
“Tomorrow he will be captain Leao.”
Is there a lack of balance?
“We’re waiting for the end of the championship.”
What was Milan’s weak point?
“The most obvious thing was the exit from the Europa League, then that month in which we broke away from Inter. Inter are stronger, they have been more continuous, more solid. However, we were not the only ones who don’t keep up.”
What is Ibra giving you?
“Zlatan was here yesterday and the day before yesterday, he is always close to us, he gives us support to overcome the negative moment. We are together and together we try to overcome the difficult moment.”
Is Milan ready to manage the aftermath of the storm?
“It has to, if you want to be at a high level you have to.”
Why didn’t you come to the conference on Monday?
“I didn’t want to not give the conference, but it was the company’s choice. I have always assumed my responsibilities, otherwise I would have remained silent until the end of the season.”