The Rossoneri are already back in action tomorrow, with matchday 21 in Serie A TIM fast approaching as AC Milan travel to Brescia for Friday night’s clash at the Stadio Rigamonti at 20:45 CET. Before the team’s final training session and the subsequent squad announcement, the Rossoneri coach Stefano Pioli spoke to the press at Milanello with his thoughts leading up to this big away fixture.
“We’ve had some positive results from our away games of late, with the points reflecting our strong performances. We need to continue with this, we’re happy with what we’ve done so far but we need to keep moving forwards. We need to keep working hard and pushing ourselves, we need to consolidate our strengths and improve on our weaknesses. We want to win. The league standings will stay up on the wall at Milanello until the end of the season, we’ll need to keep on fighting in order to climb up the table without giving any thought to our current position. We want to have a better second half to the season than the first, this second set of fixtures will have to be the one which takes AC Milan back to the top.”
On Brescia: “With Balotelli suspended, Brescia lose the quality and contribution of one individual, but as a result they’ll be even more compact and aggressive. We’re expecting a very determined opponent, one fighting for a massive goal. Tonali has a lot of great quality and potential, he has to be taken into consideration going into tomorrow’s game.”
On individuals: “Castillejo’s words are absolutely right and they need to act as a stimulus for the team. Ibrahimović is an added value with his presence and attitude, he’s doing very well and he’s done great things for the team. We’re talking about a champion who’s among the best in the world. His teammates have also been great at taking his presence as an encouraging factor to grow and improve. Ibra has been available and intelligent right from the off. Rebić is doing well and can play, but there are so many players in good form who can play as well. What’s changed with Ante? I had made other decisions up until Udinese. It all depends on attitude. I have to select the side that gives me the most guarantees, the starting eleven is important but so are the players who come onto the pitch. Paquetá needs to be aware that he’s a complete player, but he also has to become a more determined player. Suso is doing really well in training and he’s available. RodrÃguez had a slight physical problem, but he trained yesterday and he should be available.”
About the transfer market: “It’s not me that should be giving updates on the transfer market. We’ve still got eight or nine days left, we’ll see what happens but both the team and myself have to stay focused on the pitch.”
(Photo Getty Images)
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Source: legaseriea.it