PIOLI: "THE LITTLE DETAILS WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE"

The Rossoneri are set to play Champions League football at San Siro after a long period of absence: from Atlético Madrid on 19 February 2014 to Atlético Madrid tomorrow, 28 September 2021. After the opening defeat against Liverpool, AC Milan are looking to pick up their first points in Group B against Simeone's men. On the eve of the match, Coach Pioli and Brahim Díaz have spoken at the press conference at Milanello to preview the encounter. Their words were broadcast live on the App, on YouTube and on Milan TV.

STEFANO PIOLI'S THOUGHTS

THE ROSSONERI'S CURRENT FORM
"We've been really good lately at taking our chances to do something more, to improve. It's true that we're a really young team and this is an added value for this squad. Where we can't get to with experience, we'll reach with energy, hunger, enthusiasm and also the support of the fans, who will help us a lot tomorrow. Our ambition is to play to the best of our ability game after game. The future? We're just thinking about tomorrow's game, in which we'll need to be at our very best."

ATLÉTICO AND TOMORROW'S GAME
"Until Saturday, they were unbeaten and top of La Liga. They're a strong team with a good coach and experienced players, who are so good at punishing any little error. We'll need to play at our very best from a technical point of view and stay focused from kick-off to the final whistle. The bar is so much higher in the Champions League and the little details make all the difference. We conceded goals in Liverpool due to lapses in concentration; we need to play simple, quick football, without making the wrong decisions. It'll be an important game but not a decisive one. We have four matches after the game tomorrow but we want to get points on the board."

INDIVIDUALS
"At this level, being out even two weeks means you come back a bit out of sorts; it was right to give Giroud minutes against Spezia and his condition will improve over the coming game. Hernández is improving defensively; his performance on Saturday was one of his best in a Rossoneri shirt. In terms of Kjær and Florenzi, the training sessions today and tomorrow will be really important; we'll take stock of their fitness. For the other players out, it's more likely that they'll be back after the international break."

BRAHIM DÍAZ'S THOUGHTS

FAITH FROM THE CLUB
"I've always felt the trust placed in me by Stefano Pioli, the Club and the staff - ever since I arrived here. It was a great game in May against Juventus; I played really well then but there has never been a lack of faith. It's true that, in Italy, there are a lot of young talented players but I don't think that they get more praise here than they would in Spain. I feel the responsibility here but I can't get anywhere alone: we need the whole team." 

LEGACY AND RESPONSIBILITY
"I always try to be the best that I can be and to help the team as much as possible; It's the only thing I can do and it's the most important. We have great spirit and a lot of passion; we want to win. We're a really united group and we support one another. We're like a family and, thanks to the coach's guidance, we're playing really well and are recording some big results. We can improve and we have to in order to maintain this high level. Personally, I don't feel like a leader; I just try to contribute as much as possible." 

TOMORROW'S GAME
"The only thing that I am focusing on is doing my best here. The fact that I came from Real Madrid is extra motivation but what really counts is winning tomorrow's game. Atleti are a really strong side with a lot of talented players, who fight hard in every game - as shown by their many games won in the final minutes."

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