PIOLI: "WE HAVE THE QUALITY TO TURN IT AROUND"

It's the day before the massive Champions League semi-final second leg. The game against Inter, scheduled to take place at San Siro on Tuesday 16 May at 21:00 CEST, is do or die, and Coach Pioli and Tonali have given their thoughts ahead of the game in the press conference. Here's what the gaffer and Sandro had to say from Milanello:

STEFANO PIOLI

MOOD IN THE GROUP
"We're focused and determined and preparing in the best way possible in order to give a better performance than the first leg, and to try and win the game."

LEÃO, KRUNIĆ AND MESSIAS
"Rafa is better meglio; he, Rade and Junior will train today. If everything goes to plan then all three should be available for the game." 

REASONS TO BELIEVE
"We have a clear objective, which is to win the tie, therefore we can still reach the final. Nobody predicted that we'd be at this stage of the competition, not least the final, but I know how good my players are. Some oustanding feats have been achieved; one needs to believe and we do."

PREPARATION
"We want to go out and give a top quality performance. We need to carry on from where we left off in the second half of the first leg, but we still need to do more. There's still a long way to go; we need to start the game well, stay in the game, make as few mistakes as possible and capitalise on theirs."

DIFFERENT APPROACH
"In Wednesday's game, we lost too many duels and second balls early on. This time around, we need to win them to get on top and sway the game in our favour. We haven't spoken about the Spezia game, only about Tuesday's, which offers so many things. These are the games that players and Head Coaches dream about; we know we're chasing the game from the start, but we're also aware of our quality."

MIDFIELD SELECTIONS
"Really sorry for Isma's injury and we wish him all the best for his operation. We won't play with three in the middle but with an extra attacking midfielder compared with the first game. Hopefully, it'll work better." 

FACING INTER
"Inter are a strong side, but if we play to our potential then we can compete; otherwise, it'll be difficult. We need t be aware of them at set-pieces: that's one of their strong points. We had some moments going forward in the first leg that we didn't make the most of; tomorrow, we need to take those chances." 

SANDRO TONALI

EMOTION
"There's a lot of emotion around but we have the mental strength to leave that at the gate; it's a one-off game, and we just need to focus on that and give everything we have. It's an opportunity; we can turn the result around, which will give us a real boost going forward." 

IMEETING WITH THE FANS
"Our fans are always very close to us and they wanted to show that support before this huge game. All our noses are pointing in the same direction, and we are all in it together and very united."

POSTS AND GOALS
"Only thinking of goals would be too simple; we're going out there to give our best and to create goals for the team. Personal satisfaction will arrive. The most important thing is to score first and then it's a whole different ball-game." 

INSIDE THE DRESSING ROOM
"We speak a lot but I don't think there's much to say now. Whoever plays or is a sub knows the enormity of the game, and what is needed to make ourselves pleased and proud. We know what we have to do."

VERDICT ON THE SEASON
"Obviously, this game will change things. At the start of the year, we had certain targets in our head and many of those haven't gone the way we had hoped for. Tomorrow, we'll be looking to change our season around: this match is massive and can be the difference." 

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