PIOLI: "UNITED, AWARE AND CLINICAL"

After three weeks, the Rossoneri return to San Siro in the league in what will be the first home lunchtime match of the season: AC Milan v Sassuolo will be played on Sunday at 12:30 CET. It is an important challenge to spur a reaction after recent performances and get back to winning ways. Coach Pioli talked about the game in a press conference from Milanello, live on Milan TV, YouTube and Twitch.

AHEAD OF AC MILAN V SASSUOLO
"It is an important opportunity. The better you play the more chances you have to win, but above all we need positive results now to regain enthusiasm, talking is of little use. We have prepared well, we will give our all to return to winning ways. Even a dirty but characterful victory would do us good, we have to be a self-aware and solid team. We are happy to be playing at home again. Sassuolo are fast and technical, aggressive at times. We'll have to be especially careful on their counter-attacks, because they have dangerous players going forward".

SQUADS AND FANS
"We need great unity to turn the page. We have to be as united as our fantastic fans were at the Olimpico after the defeat, showing with our quality that we deserve their support. We must think little of what could have been, of course we could have done better. It's up to us to move on, believing in what we do and facing the difficulties head on. The team has always put in the work and focus, but reality shows that we all need to work harder. Now there are fewer smiles, we realise that the moment is delicate and we have a great sense of duty. We have to do the simple things well".

IMPROVEMENTS, STARTING WITH THE DEFENCE
"Possiamo fare meglio sia in attacco che in difesa, in particolare a livello difensivo perché stiamo concedendo troppo e sbagliando troppo. Davanti fino a Lecce segnavamo in media due gol a partita, poi siamo stati lenti e abbiamo fatto fatica a superare la prima pressione avversaria. Le ultime tre gare sono state negative nel complesso, io sono il primo responsabile perché probabilmente non ho trasmesso quello che volevo: in questi giorni ho cercato di essere più chiaro e diretto. È il collettivo che deve dare una mano ai singoli, non viceversa".

THE MARKET AND INJURIES
"We already have the necessary resources to overcome this period, the club has been clear for some time and we are fine. We are recovering the injured, it's a pity that Tomori is out, but playing a lot we have to take that into account and we have other options that will be up to the task".

INDIVIDUALS
"Hernández trained with the group yesterday and had no problems, he's available. Calabria took a bad knock in Rome, but he's fine now. Vásquez is working but I don't see him ready to play yet. De Ketelaere is better physically, he's stronger and rips more; continuing to play as a trequartista. Bakayoko is training well and is available. Krunić is an intelligent player, he's not yet back to full fitness".

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