GIAMPAOLO: "WE NEED TO HAVE THE HUNGER TO WIN"

After the loss in Turin, AC Milan are preparing to return to the pitch at San Siro for matchday 6 of Serie A. Mister Giampaolo spoke today in his press conference at Milanello ahead of Milan v Fiorentina, the Rossoneri’s third home game of the season. Here is what our Coach had to say, with the conference broadcasted live on the AC Milan Official App, Facebook page and Milan TV:

THE PRESENT, AC MILAN V FIORENTINA
“Every game is complicated, you always have to sweat. That’s the way it is in Serie A, you have to respect every opponent. It's mentality that makes the difference, we’ll need an attacking team which has the desire to win.”

THE PAST, TORINO V MILAN
“We made the mistake of not killing the game off in Turin, we wasted several chances: that was the way to secure the win. At a certain point we lost our control on the game, losing our bearings and putting our own defence under pressure. I enjoyed most of the game because the team was playing well and creating chances. But we didn’t manage to make the most of a few moments and at the end it’s the result that counts. Musacchio is not to blame for Belotti’s equaliser, we made the mistake before that. The goals we conceded were the result of poor collective attitudes.”

THE TEAM
“From my first day, the objective has been for AC Milan to play football, to manage and control matches, to have more possession than our opponents. In Turin, the team seemed to have conviction in their attitude, but then details can turn the tide. We hadn’t had many shots at goal before the Torino match, but we improved markedly in Turin: we created more chances, had more shots and also had more touches in the opposition half of the pitch. However, we were imprecise. We need to show that we're capable of sending more men forward and covering the pitch better. Above all, we need to learn how to dig in until the end and show balance in the process. The team are feeling fine, the players have recovered and the data is positive.”

THE LINE-UP
“Changes compared to the Torino match? We’ve assessed the condition of every player and have various data at our disposal. Today we’ll get other answers and then decide tomorrow. I don’t like to change, because by doing so you lose collective references. Playing 4-3-3 or 4-3-1-2 doesn’t change a lot, the formation doesn’t win you matches. Allegri’s Juve often changed their formation and always won. You need to go down a path and continue going down it. I understand any grumbles and criticism, I have the duty to work to improve the team. I feel like the team is mine, even if it belongs to the millions of Rossoneri fans throughout the world.”

DONNARUMMA’S WORDS AND THE CLUB’S BACKING
“I was pleased to hear Gigio’s words, if he said this it means that it’s something he feels and believes. Gigio has great character, is cool and calm and has broad shoulders. He’s an outstanding talent for the age he is. Nobody gives you confidence, it’s a complex matter. For the media, everything depends on results, but for others it’s all about the process. I know how the Club thinks. The coach needs to be credible, he has to have ideas and projects in place. If the Club has shown it’s support for me it means that the people involved have made important assessments about what they’ve seen.”

INDIVIDUALS
“Piątek is rediscovering his habitat in his position. Leão has the characteristics to play out wide. They have the qualities to find spaces out on the pitch. There’s an understanding between them, just like there is between other players. Hernández has enthusiasm and an excellent physical stature. He’s enterprising but he needs to be managed in the right way. He didn’t play before because he was injured, he’ll become a great player. Paquetá trained with the group yesterday, he doesn’t have any muscular problems and is feeling fine. Çalhanoğlu is a strong player, he knows how to play football and has spirit. I liked what I saw from him in Turin. The new players are demonstrating a lot of willingness and still need to integrate fully. There’s still a lot of work to do, including specific training sessions. Those who are playing fewer matches aren't satisfied, but everyone is being very professional.”

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