Milan coach Stefano Pioli believes Rafael Leao should remain at the club to reach his potential and still believes the club can challenge Napoli for the title. The Rossoneri are in second place in the Serie A standings, 8 points behind the Partenopei, and speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pioli outlined why he still believes Milan can still make a race of it:
Ready to launch a challenge to Napoli?
“We believe it. We know that the level has risen and that our competitors are very strong: if Napoli keep this incredible form until the end they will exceed 100 points and we will only have to congratulate them. But Milan also has quality and determination to win all games, in all competitions. We are competing on four fronts, the goal is to win a trophy. ”
Champions League included?
“The Champions League has always been Milan’s home, it is impossible not to feel its charm. And it is normal being the coach of this club to have the ambition to return to being protagonists in Europe. We can think of taking another step only if we all raise the level of performance together, quality and attention. So we can also overcome Tottenham. ”
And then where?
“I listened to Maldini, he rightly said that a circle has closed against Sassuolo and that we must now aim for other objectives. And that’s what we want to do: the Champions League is part of our path. For years Milan did not play in it, then we regained a place, we put ourselves to the test and went out in the group stages. Now we have hit the round of 16 and if we want to take one more step we have to try to get into the top eight and then see what happens. So another step would be accomplished and we would still win the final goal: to return to compete with the great teams of Europe for the final victory. In the Champions League even a single episode can make a difference, as is sometimes a matter of luck. In Serie A it’s different, continuity is needed and whoever deserves the most wins. ”
Step by step, the formula is clear. At this stage, in what areas is the team is stronger than last season?
“We are stronger because many individuals have grown. As a result, the collective level increases. And then we are more aware, we know what we had to do to win. We also have greater security in the face of difficulties: today we know how to deal with them.”
Will you be stronger after the January market?
“I know that questions will now begin on the subject but our purchases will be the players who are injured today and whom we will recover. I remain absolutely convinced of the quality of our group. And I repeat, we fully have the potential to win every single game”.
What’s the time frame for Maignan’s return?
“It will take a while. Ready for Salerno? I don’t think so.”
And for Ibra?
“We still have to wait. Zlatan has a superior intelligence, returning to Milan he has descended into a reality he had never lived before. It was not a team ready to win. Ibra will never have a full stomach, victory is the obsession of all the great ones and he is a great one. This is how he wakes up in the morning: he goes into situations at one hundred miles an hour and does not stop until he has hit the target. We hope to have him back with us soon. ”
Meanwhile, Leao will be back: do you believe he will be with you for a long time?
“In the most absolute way I advise him to stay. We did a lot together but none of us have yet reached the maximum of their potential. Rafa has had incredible development, exponential and continuous growth but there are aspects in which he can work with even more quality and intensity. Doing it with us, in a context that he now knows very well, will facilitate it. And then I see him really happy.
All that is missing is De Ketelaere to conquer his role: will the second part of the season be his?
“When you train young boys, the important thing is the basis. I take a step back: there were no doubts that Tonali or Leao had the potential to become huge players. The most difficult thing is to predict when that something will click in their head that leads them to raise the level. I have no doubts about Charles’ qualities but too hasty judgments are made. Staying in comparison with Tonali, Sandro is an Italian boy, his home was 50 kilometers from Milan and he played a season without an audience, therefore with less pressure: it took him a year to make the leap and metabolize the impact. De Ketelaere has been here for four months, he comes from a different championship, he has never experienced such attention in his life. Appearance is deceiving: he is a simple guy and strong, but not immune to pressure “.
We could see him play in attack while you’re waiting for Ibra and Giroud in attack?
“Yes, it’s also possible in the next games, thinking about the types of opponents we will meet. We will find many defenses lined up with five at the back, not giving a reference point can be the solution and Charles has these qualities. In general, he has an entire group at his disposal to make him understand situations and the environment. Now it’s up to me to know when to push or when to preserve him. He will arrive, I am sure: he did the experience at the World Cup well even though he played as little as it did him good to be with his family: he returned much more peaceful. He will have its space.”
Staying on Giroud: will he find a way for Milan to overcome the World disappointment?
“I cheered for him and Theo. I talked to them the night after the final: I said they must be proud of the path they have taken. Olivier has proven to be the usual champion he is: in the field and in human resilience. And Theo showed what Paolo and I have been telling him for a while: that he is becoming the strongest left back in the world. They will overcome disappointment by returning to work with us with even more determination towards new goals “.
Did the World Cup crown Messi as the strongest in history?
“For me there are three legends in this sport: Pele, Maradona, Messi. They belong to different eras, I would not be able to make a final ranking.”
Do you have your own personal goal?
“On my first day at Milan I felt something special. I was hoping for such a goal and I always believed it: the club was very good at building a strong team. Ambition is still growing, we know how rewarding it is to win and we don’t want to stop here. “
