PIOLI: "WE NEED QUALITY AND INTENSITY"
Press Conference
Over three months have passed but the Champions League music is ready to be played once again at San Siro, with AC Milan facing Tottenham in the first leg of the round of 16 on Tuesday 14 February. On the eve of this important game, Coach Pioli and Pierre Kalulu have spoken about the clash in the pre-match press conference, live on Milan TV, YouTube and Twitch.
ON THE EVE OF THE GAME
"We'll need to be at our best in order to win, both technically and in terms of fitness. We've prepared well. We played well against Torino after the goal but, against such a good side, we'll have to play with alertness and intensity."
THE TWO COACHES
"Conte is a great coach who prepares well for games and pays a lot of attention to the details. They play with pace, intensity, physicality and quality. It's a tough game but that's the way it should be; this is the Round of 16 in the Champions League. Antonio was one of the few coaches who called me to congratulate me on winning the Scudetto; I really appreciated that."
FIVE ITALIAN COACHES IN THE KNOCK-OUTS
"Ancelotti is one of the great, Conte too. We have a lot of great coaches in Italy; the instruction for coaches is top-level."
INDIVIDUALS
"Bennacer trained yesterday but isn't 100% fit and we can't risk it; he won't play. We changed our system to deal with the issues that we've been facing. De Ketelaere? We play with two trequartisti, that's his best position."
THE RECIPE FOR THE GAME
"We'll need to play well, trying to dominate the game and trying to cause them problems. We'll need to be alert and compact. In order to win the Champions League, which is just a dream right now, we'll first need to show that we're good enough to go through against a good team like Tottenham. We want to do well; the team has prepared well."
ONE DAY UNTIL AC MILAN V TOTTENHAM
"I want to play a lot of games like this one. The change in formation has helped me but the team's attitude has to make the difference on the pitch. I felt good against Torino but I need to try to do better every day; I can still improve."
INDIVIDUAL DUELS
"Son and Perišić are great players but we're ready. I hope to always play against players of this standard, and also to understand my own level."
GROWING THROUGH DIFFICULTIES
"This is the first time I've experienced a run of form like this. When you don't win, morale is lower. For me, though, this is something that can make you stronger."
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