PIOLI: "THE DERBY IS A BIG OPPORTUNITY"

February for Stefano Pioli's AC Milan starts with the same matchup as it did 12 months ago: the Milan derby. An important fixture and a grand opportunity to put the recent form behind them and get back to winning ways. A match that the coach presented in a press conference, from Milanello, live on Milan TV, YouTube e Twitch. This is what he had to say.

ON THE WEEK
"From a work side of things, it has been a great week of focus and desire. We studied a game plan, with our last matches and the Supercoppa taken into consideration. It is a great opportunity for us and we have to do everything to seize it. Inter come into the match in excellent form, but we have a real desire to win the match. We will try to win, we want to put on a great performance. Three in midfield? I don't know. I mean I do know but I am not going to tell you". 

ON THE SUPERCOPPA
"It;s easy to analyse that game, where mistakes led to serious consequences: we conceded from three set pieces. These are the areas which we have had to improve on".

SASSUOLO
"The criticism has not been excessive, it fits given the period. When things are not going well I am the first to ask questions. We have to do better, because the last few performances have not been up to the mark. Everything that has happened to us in these three years has not been a coincidence, and given the attitude shown this week, I am even more convinced that I coach a special group. We have not lost the spirit that makes us special, we must show it again.

IBRA
"He has been vital for this team. On Friday, he returned to training, even if to a reduced extent. Unfortunately, the two games with Tottenham come too soon, and at this moment we don't know when he will be fully fit. I hope with all my heart that he can return soon especially for how he is doing. Few people can do what he is doing to return from such a serious and complicated injury. Did he speak to his team-mates? I believe so, he knows how to get throught to them". 

GOALS CONCEDED PRESI
"They are not determined by one factor alone, but by a combination of individual and departmental situations that absolutely must be improved. We must be more organised. We are lacking in some situations in the defensive phase, but then there is a lack of team play".

GOALS
"The Champions League is an important goal, it should not be taken for granted. If we look at the table of the other European leagues, Napoli's season stands out. On our side, we have to win as many games as we can from now until the end of the season to finish as high as possible".

DUBAI
"During the winter camp we had a few too many injuries. Having two small problems like Bennacer and Tomori having played so often can happen, but the team is in good shape. In this period we have lacked quality. That's what we have to aim for".

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