PIOLI: "WE'RE DOING WELL, WE'RE READY"

Just one day until Bologna v AC Milan, matchday 15 of Serie A which will be played on Sunday 8 December at 20:45 CET at the Dall’Ara. Fresh off the back of their win over Parma, the Rossoneri will be looking to add some consistency to both their performances and results. With his squad for the trip to Emilia announced, Coach Pioli spoke today in a press conference at Milanello. Here’s what he had to say, with his words broadcast live on the AC Milan Official App, Facebook and Milan TV:

A LOOK AT BOLOGNA
“Bologna could be a turning point for us, but we have to create the chances for ourselves. It will be a tough but important game, compared to Parma Bologna give you more space but they’re also more aggressive. They’ve got some strong attackers, I coached Palacio and he’s a very smart player. They have the right ideas of play, both in defence and attack. We’re ready, we’ll need to be very focused and technically we can’t make mistakes in the simple things. The team is doing well, we’re improving, now we just need to bring home the big points. We need to put in big performances in every game, we can’t just satisfy ourselves with a win over Parma.” 

ON MIHAJLOVIĆ
“Bologna are even stronger with Mihajlović in the technical area, he’s facing his illness with great will and determination: that’s why I’ve been cheering for Bologna since the summer. I have great memories in that city and with the fans, they’ve been so good to Sinisa in a difficult time. He’s an example to follow, I can’t wait to see him and give him a hug.”

THE TEAM
“We have to work hard and keep pushing, we’re not completely there but we’re in a good place. We have to focus on teamwork, on our ideas and on intensity. We’re working in order to grow, to win and the climb up the table as a group. We need consistency for that. Small positives are useless and I can’t do anything with them, it’s the final result that matters in showing how much both I and we have achieved. We’ll have to put in a big shift for our next three games. Maybe we’ll already have to take stock at Christmas, but what’s important is how much this group can grow and achieve, I’m already seeing them as more solid and compact. It’s normal for AC Milan to be aiming for Europe. I didn’t come here to do a normal job but to do the best that’s possible.”

PIĄTEK AND THE ATTACK
“If Piątek plays, it will be because I consider it right for that type of game. Every player has his own strengths, Leão’s lies in his movement and he’s still working on his play in the box. There’s no issue with Piątek, everyone is fighting for us to get out of this difficult period. Two strikers? I’m not considering that right now, at the moment our wingers and midfielders are too important. I don’t see Suso playing out wide on the left, but he’s still a great player. He has to get used to playing more central and finding the space between the lines, that will bring us a lot of success.”

THE LINE-UP
“I have plenty of options in all departments, everyone’s available except for Duarte and Caldara who played for the Primavera. I’ve told the players that I expect everyone to give their all: I can’t make any mistakes with the starting line-up, but whoever comes on has to do everything possible in order to make a difference.”

ON IBRAHIMOVIĆ
“Father Christmas comes on the 25th of December… right now the greatest gift would be three points in Bologna.”

Remember that tickets are on sale for the home game against Sassuolo. Buy yours now! See you at San Siro!