PIOLI: "WE'RE BACK WITH ENTHUSIASM AND CONFIDENCE"

The Rossoneri’s first match of 2021 is coming up, an important fixture as Coach Pioli's men look to start the new year on the right foot. After finishing 2020 in excellent fashion, the Rossoneri are getting ready to take to the pitch in Benevento for Serie A's matchday. The Coach held the pre-match press conference on the eve of tomorrow's clash, here's what he had to say:

BENEVENTO V AC MILAN
"We're taking on a team that is doing well and has achieved some good results. We need to approach the game well and play the AC Milan way. It will be a tough game; a few big sides have lost at the Vigorito. Pippo Inzaghi was a top striker, a lethal finisher, he was the archetypal fox in the box. He would also be useful to this AC Milan side. Being a coach always has its risks. The important thing is to have ideas, method and personality; Inzaghi, like Pirlo, was a great player and they are both intelligent people."

NEW YEAR, SAME AMBITION
"A year ago,  we started to lay the foundations and build, now we have that base and we want to improve and win. 2020 was a big year for us; everyone lived up to the very best of their potential. Now, we get back underway with a lot of enthusiasm and confidence, knowing we have a lot of good qualities. The season will be an exciting one; we need to take it one game at a time. 2020 is now behind us and our only objective now is Benevento."  

AFTER THE BREAK
"It was a short break. We needed though because we were spent. The win against Lazio has given us even more confidence and we need to harness this enthusiasm. Now, our opponents are waiting for us and they know us. We'll need to be even better to do more and improve in terms of attention and motivation."  

INDIVIDUALS
"Castillejo has recovered and will be in the squad, as for the other injured players we will have to see in the short to medium term: it is difficult to make predictions because they are mainly muscle problems, but the players are determined and focused. Tonali is constantly improving, he needed to adapt; he can still improve a lot, especially in defensive phases. Ibrahimović is much more concentrated on recovery than on Sanremo. About Sanremo, Zlatan has notified us in time, he will also take that opportunity to show that he can be a champion and continue to help the team. His return has been a godsend, in general, the entire January transfer window was fundamental. Hernández has incredible potential, he is improving day by day thanks to his daily work; he is already a top performer but he can and must improve further."

THE SUPPORTERS
"It would be fantastic to play with our supporters in the stadium: we already feel so close to them as is, let alone what would happen at San Siro. We hope it can happen as soon as possible."

THE TRANSFER MARKET
"The primary objective is to recover our injured players, to have the right players at my disposal for all commitments. When the market opens, the club will be ready if there are any opportunities."

Match kits, clothing, accessories, gift ideas and so much more: visit the AC Milan Online Store now!