Stefano Pioli insists his Milan players still need to pay great attention ahead of their return leg Europa League match against Rennes. The Rossoneri face the Ligue 1 side on Thursday evening, with the first leg having ended decisively in favor of the Rossoneri with a 3-0 victory. However, speaking about the upcoming challenge in France, the Rossoneri coach cautioned his team while speaking to Sky Sport microphones:
“The first leg gave us a very good advantage. I told the boys that we hold our destiny in our hands, but it’s not over yet. Rennes plays with great intensity at home, and we’ll have to be as good as we were in the first leg. In the match against Monza in the league, we made some naive mistakes. It cannot be a wrong night to ruin our path.”
The Rossoneri coach continued by discussing the condition of his players. “The team is doing well; we had an extra day of rest. Jovic? It’s possible to see him starting. Playing many games in a few days requires managing each commitment well. My ambition and that of the boys is to be up to every game. Ibrahimovic is important regardless, with individuals and with the group. His presence is attentive, charismatic, intelligent. He has had many experiences all over the world, and his advice is important.”
Finally, Pioli concluded the interview by discussing Rennes. “Risks? We face a good team; they won again in the league on Sunday, and thinking that we have already secured qualification would be a serious mistake for us. We want to manage the advantage; they will try to recover the result. Great attention will be required. We work to obtain results. Changing several players is not dangerous after eight months of working together. In the second half against Monza, I made changes to try to fix the game, but it wasn’t the fault of the players who came out. We only made mistakes; in decisive moments, we were below our capabilities. Playing five games is difficult and demanding.”
After Stefano Pioli, Alessandro Florenzi also spoke to Sky Sport microphones. “We are angry and disappointed about Monza. As I have always thought in my life, balance is needed in victories and defeats. We are not superstars after a win, and we are not failures after a loss. There are episodes that influence a game; it happened in Monza. Tomorrow will be a battle, but we have to play our game with determination without thinking about the first leg. Leao? He is young and eager to learn. Sometimes he wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, as it should be, he’s a bit of an artist.”
