PIOLI: "WE KNOW WHAT WE NEED TO DO"

A Saturday consisting of hard work, focus and pre-match comments. Before the team's departure for Verona ahead of Hellas Verona v AC Milan, which will kick off at 20:45 CEST on Sunday 8 May, Stefano Pioli answered questions about the Rossoneri's 36th Serie A encounter of the season. The conference was held at 14:15 CEST, Saturday 7 May, and was broadcast live on Milan TV, YouTube and Twitch.

FANS
"Playing another crucial match with so many AC Milan fans in the stands will be great for all of us. Their presence is giving us great energy and enthusiasm, which are qualities we want to display out on the pitch against Verona."

THE TEAM’S WORK THIS WEEK
"The lads have been highly attentive and motivated. We’ll be up against a high-quality team who are capable of causing us problems, but these matches can help you gain awareness. We mustn’t just prove that we’re good, we need to show that we’re better."

THE TEAM
"The lads are switched on and motivated, and they’re handling the pressure well. In this respect, I can see that the group has grown. We need to carry on going down this path, one which has allowed us to climb higher and higher. Now, we’re seven points away from achieving something extraordinary. We’ll need to play like an AC Milan side should."

VERONA
"Verona will do everything to try to beat us. We’re a prestigious rival, but we’ll also do everything to win. We’ll need to watch out for their attacking players, who possess quality. We’ll have to perform well in defence."

THE MATCH
"Our way of playing makes us a balanced team. We want to dominate the match and be the more dangerous side. Games are long and difficult, as proven by the match between Real Madrid and Manchester City, where the former won thanks to their spirit and mentality. Ancelotti? He’s a legend and exceptional in everything."

AC MILAN’S HISTORY IN VERONA
"I’m not thinking about the past. We’re starting to write our own page of history, and history is written by what you do in the present."

PHYSICAL CONDITION
"My staff know exactly what I think of their work. I’m the one in charge: they make proposals and then I decide. Too many times, a lot of importance is placed on the physical side of things and not so much on the tactical-technical aspect. We’ve never had peaks in either direction."

INDIVIDUALS
"Whether we alternate Leão and Rebić on the flanks depends on the game and the situation we’re in; both can do well on the left or right. As for who will start between Saelemaekers and Messias, I don’t see a lot of differences between the two, even if they prefer to use different feet. Both are attacking players who also need to do their bit in defence."

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