PIOLI: "WE'LL NEED TO PERFORM AT OUR BEST"

The Coppa Italia semi-final is now behind us, and it's now time for AC Milan to turn their focus back to league action. One of the most difficult games of the final straight now awaits as the Rossoneri make the trip to the Olimpico to take on Maurizio Sarri's strong Lazio team. The match has been previewed by Coach Pioli in his press conference at Milanello, broadcast as usual on Milan TV, YouTube and Twitch.

THE ROSSONERI'S FORM
"We're completely aware of our progress and what we're doing - it's an exciting and electrifying time. We're in the title race with five games still to play. We're focused and motivated for tomorrow's game. Every one of us has the capacity to give that bit more emotion and hunger, which can push you beyond your limits and help you reach something that seemed impossible at the start of the season. We need to have fire in our hearts and ice in our veins."

THE FANS' SUPPORT
"They're the best; they've already won. They support us, they motivate us, and they drive us. Their passion gives us energy and having them turn out in force tomorrow can only give us an extra lift."

BENNACER 100
"Isma is improving rapidly and I think he will get even better in both phases of the game. He's working hard to always be at his best when reading the game. He's unavailable tomorrow, unfortunately, as he hasn't recovered from the knock to his ankle that he sustained in the derby." 

THE RETURN OF IBRAHIMOVIĆ AND REBIĆ
"Zlatan is the leader of this team; his hunger is insatiable. What he is doing to make himself available is incredible. He trained well yesterday and he will travel with us tomorrow, as will Rebić. There's no cause for concern with him: Ante suffers from chronic tendonitis in his knee and the issue cropped up again before the game on Tuesday but, fortunately, he only needed two days to recover and return to the group."

ON LAZIO
"Taking on a team coached by Sarri means that you're taking on a team that defends by pressing high and attacks with quality. I expect them to look to move the ball around so as to get good service into Immobile. They have a lot of attacking quality and are well-coached. We'll need to put in a big performance. By moving the ball around sharply, we can exploit the space but we will also need to be aware that they are tight at the back. What we have done previously won't; we're focusing on what will be required tomorrow evening."  

ATTACKING OUTPUT
"We've scored fewer than we should have done. We always look good on the front foot but just aren't clinical enough. But we shouldn't forget that we're top - or second - of the table and are one of two teams, along with Juventus, to have picked up the most points in the girone di ritorno. We want to stay there until the end."

FOCUSING ON TOMORROW
Losing the derby was disappointing. We didn't come out on top in the key moments of the game. But that is an entirely different competition and that result shouldn't be a distraction over the final few matchdays. The more time goes by, the closer we are to the end and the more important each result becomes. It's not that important to understand that we are disappointed or whether we have picked ourselves up, what's important is tomorrow's game. Let's not forget the two things that a key for us: we're playing well and our performances have been good. We want to keep that up until the end of the season and win all of our games, starting tomorrow." 

UPHILL BATTLE IN THE RUN-IN
"I think it will depend on us whether the stretch will be an uphill battle or a downhill stroll. It will depend on our approach and how we play as a team. We've overcome difficulties in the past and this should give us a lot of confidence as we go into tomorrow's game."

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