PIOLI: "OUR FUTURE IS THE PRESENT"

From Parma to Genoa, from the Tardini to San Siro, where the Rossoneri need to taste victory once again. Most of our games from now until the end of the season will be played at home. On Sunday 18 April at 12:30 CEST, the Rossoneri will host the Grifone on matchday 31 in Serie A. Stefano Pioli held his pre-match press conference ahead of the game today, with the Coach having the following to say:

WINNING AT SAN SIRO
"We want to return to winning ways at San Siro, a win at home has been missing for a while now. We need to produce a high-quality display where we make precise choices. We’ve analysed our home fixtures in detail, and often we haven’t done very well in the final quarter of the pitch, including in terms of the conviction we’ve shown. It’s in that part of the field that matches are decided. We’ll need to be attentive and determined, while our approach will have to be more aggressive and intense. Taking the lead is something which can make the difference."

AC MILAN V GENOA
"Genoa are a complete, physical side. They’re not a team that plays possession-based football: they go for a more direct approach instead. Genoa are doing well, also thanks to their new coach. Scamacca is a very promising youngster with well-defined characteristics, but they have other strong attackers."

THE PARTIAL REOPENING OF STADIUMS
"We can’t wait to see our fans inside the stadium again. Football is all about passion and enthusiasm. It was important for us even when only 1000 supporters were allowed in previously. We really noticed it when this changed again. We hope that our fans will be able to attend again soon because they could give us strength and bring excitement."

THE TEAM
"The team have been very focused: they’ve done everything to prepare for tomorrow’s match in the best possible fashion. Every game is a test. Our future is now: we must only think about the pitch, the Club will take care of the rest. There’s too much talk about other things. We’re aiming to qualify for the Champions League, an objective that hasn’t been achieved for several years. We’re halfway up the climb, we can’t raise our heads but have to continue pedalling hard. We mustn’t expend energy on other matters, including refereeing decisions. The referees in Italy are excellent, and mistakes can happen. Perhaps the absence of spectators has complicated things."

MARIO MANDŽUKIĆ
"I’m happy that he’s feeling fine. While he doesn’t have 90 minutes in his legs, he’s enjoyed an excellent week of work. Not being available in the past few months has been hard for him, but he’s always behaved as a great professional. Giving up his March salary is confirmation of the values he possesses on both a moral and technical level. He will be very useful to us."

INDIVIDUALS
"In terms of his desire and decisiveness, Leão has made great strides forward in his day-to-day work and during matches. Knowing how to come on and decide matches is an important quality. Thanks to their movement, and also with the characteristics of the opposition in mind, Leão and Rebić could be very dangerous. Kessie has become a complete player, he knows how to stitch play together and has improved in terms of his ball distribution. He’s reached a very high level but can still grow. Tomori has had a great impact. Ibrahimović has been attentive and fully involved. Dalot has always trained very well, just like the rest of his teammates. Whether he plays or not depends on the choices that are made."

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