Milan boss Stefano Pioli believes ‘Some games are worth more than three points’ and the match against Juventus ‘has a considerable weight.’ The Rossoneri host the Old Lady later today and speaking in his pre-match conference, Pioli spoke about the importance of the game and why it could be worth more than point to Milan:
Will Juve be a crossroads match of the season?
Within a season there are 2 or 3 matches that weigh more than three points, and tomorrow’s match has an important weight.
Is it better right now to meet Juve rather than a team from the right side of the standings?
It would have been better to play better against Chelsea, but the motivation is there regardless of the opponent. We didn’t play as we know how to. We are all responsible, me in the first place, for Wednesday, and there is the desire and determination in us to do better than we played in London.”
You are using a different path with De Ketelaere than the other youngsters in the group. He always plays…
Charles has a great future ahead of him. I am satisfied with what he is doing. I remember many people criticizing Leao or Tonali in years past. De Ketelaere is a talented player who needs time, the path taken is the right one.
A few weeks ago Allegri said “try to take five starters out of Milan…”
I wish it had only been 5… These are moments that happen, but I have a ready team. I see a group determined to continue our path.
Are you worried about too many goals conceded?
We have conceded a few too many goals. We need to do better. On Wednesday, Chelsea were good at taking advantage of our mistakes. We need to pay more attention and make fewer mistakes.
Is De Ketelaere a mystery?
He is absolutely not a mystery to me.
Did you talk to (Gerry) Cardinale in London?
No, he wanted the team to be focused. He was definitely not satisfied with the performance.
How did he view the team?
The match with Chelsea, we filed it away immediately, we will come back to think about it from Sunday morning. Yesterday the boys were tired, but I saw them eager. It doesn’t mean we will win the game tomorrow: let’s not forget what team and what goals Juventus has, but we will give it our all. In the Champions League, it is clear that we have to go up a level. We know how to do better things, but we haven’t been able to.
Do you get more goals because you are more attacking?
It is true that we are more offensive since we are playing with a more offensive trequartista this year. But I think it depends on that, because in so many situations we are in numerical superiority and so we could have done better.
The other injuries?
For tomorrow the only news should be Theo.
Is there an explanation for the many muscle injuries?
There has never been such a busy league. Muscle injuries have increased by 20 percent. Unfortunately, we also had injuries in the national team. I work with important professionals, we will try to do better.
Could someone other than Krunic play on the right?
Krunic has not been an winger, but an inverted right fullback. The solutions are there to have an unpredictable offensive thrust.
Which Juve do he expect tomorrow?
They usually start with a high center of gravity, then lower. I don’t know if they will play more closed. The important thing is to be us compact and not make mistakes in simple things.
What are the difficulties in facing Allegri?
He is a capable coach who coaches a strong team. Then every game is different. So far against them, they have been close games, but in every game there can be different things. We want to approach the game well, when we do that we become a team that can have a say.”
Will Giroud be a starter tomorrow?
I’ll choose the lineup tomorrow morning, yesterday those who played in London had an unloading session. I will decide today. I think Giroud is fine, then I will see what to choose. We must not forget that we have many matches in the next few days.
How do you explain Wednesday’s defeat?
We have data telling us that our physical and technical efficiency was not up to the mark. Do you guys think Napoli is inferior to Chelsea now? With Napoli we had fantastic data, but if you play below your level with certain teams you can lose. If we play at our level in the league you win, maybe even if you go down a little bit…. On Wednesday we missed in so many things…
Can there be any tactical changes in tomorrow’s match?
In every match we change something, tomorrow will also be a different match. Tomorrow we will prepare things to put Juventus in trouble as they are conceding few goals.
What spirit did you see in your team?
We were all disappointed with our performance: it is inevitable that we expect a reaction and a determined test. It will be like that.
Rebic has Juve in one of his favorite victims….
Very important for him and for the team; it is clear that he is still not 100 percent,but he is improving his condition”.
