PIOLI: "WE HAVE TO GRIT OUR TEETH"

The Rossoneri are back in league action with a delicate but crucial fixture. While qualification for the Europa League group stage was at stake in Portugal, three precious points will be up for grabs at San Siro on matchday three in Serie A, with the Rossoneri looking to continue their winning run and remain on maximum points in the upper reaches of the table prior to the international break. On the eve of AC Milan v Spezia, Stefano Pioli held his pre-match press conference at Milanello. This is what the Rossoneri Coach had to say, with his words being broadcast live on the AC Milan Official App and Milan TV.

BIRTHDAY WISHES FOR IBRA
"I’ve wished him a happy birthday, we spoke a little while ago and he’s doing fine. He’s disappointed that he won’t be able to spend the day with his family."

THE RIO AVE MATCH
"It was very important to make it through. It was a difficult match, but situations like this help you become more mature. I’m sure that we’re now stronger as a result and are ready for our upcoming games."

SPEZIA
"It’ll be a tricky match. Spezia played well in the first half against Sassuolo and have an idea about how they want to play. On Wednesday, they won at a difficult place to play. We need to be more determined than them and play well from a technical perspective.”

THE TEAM
"We need to get used to playing many matches in quick succession. We knew that the opening period of the season would take a lot out of us, and I didn’t have a lot of options in certain areas of the pitch. We need to close this first cycle by gritting our teeth and showing great determination. I’ll assess things today ahead of tomorrow, when we’ll be playing a team that emerged victorious in Udine. They’ll be coming here with plenty of enthusiasm.”

INDIVIDUALS
"Hauge could play tomorrow. He’s doing well physically, he’s probably ahead of the rest of the team in this respect given that many more games have been played in the Norwegian league compared to ours. He’s a young player with many good qualities, he’ll provide us with solutions but will need time to settle in. He’ll definitely be in the matchday squad, then we’ll see after that. Tonali? He isn’t just a promising youngster: he’s a starter for AC Milan. Kessie? I’ll see how things go today. He’s picked up a minor injury, we’ll see. Leão? He hasn’t been back long, it’s only normal for him not to be in peak condition. He needs to develop and work a lot physically, but, in terms of the qualities he has, he’s an important player for us. Díaz? He’s a different kind of player who offers us more solutions in attack.”

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