PIOLI: "WE WANT TO MAKE THE MOST OF HOME ADVANTAGE"

The first game of this new season at San Siro sees the Rossoneri back at home in front of their fans against Torino for matchday 2 in Serie A 2023/2024. From Milanello, Coach Pioli previewed the game in his pre-match presser:

70,000 AT SAN SIRO
"For us, playing at San Siro means being happy and in a safe place. We’re glad that we’ll be back in front of our home crowd, and it comes as no surprise that so many will be in attendance. We’ll do everything to make them happy. Our new lads will be happy and impressed: our fans are special, and the lads will experience emotions that they are sure to remember."

THE PERFORMANCE AGAINST BOLOGNA
"The most pleasing aspect was the willingness of the players: we covered a lot of distance, and although we perhaps didn’t do this as efficiently as we could have done, everyone sacrificed themselves for the team. We gave a bit too much away, yes, but we need to be aware that if we attack well it’s not only down to the attackers, and if we don’t defend well it's not just because of the defence. In order to improve, we need to work as a team. At times, we press with intensity high up the pitch and are perhaps less attentive in our own half."

TORINO
"We know the problems that Torino can cause, but we know what our approach needs to be. We’re highly focused and want to make the most of home advantage. They’ve always made things difficult for us, and it’ll be a very tough test. We’ll be facing a team that have won their last four away matches; therefore, we’ll need to produce a high-quality performance in and out of possession. Torino combine organisation with physicality and quality, and they should comfortably end up in the top half of the table. Good off-the-ball movement will be important because they man-mark aggressively. Nevertheless, we possess the characteristics to be dangerous against such solid opponents."  

LEÃO’S CONTRIBUTION
"Rafa is improving year after year; he works continuously, positively and in a participatory manner. Defensively, I’d like to see him make a few less runs but only because it would mean that he’s taken up the best position beforehand. I’m sure that he’ll improve in this regard."

THE SQUAD
"I like the group that I coach. We’ve reached a good level of understanding, but more time is still inevitably needed. Every game helps us to get to know each other even better and improve. From my perspective and that of the directors, a 30-player squad is too big. We’d like a team with all positions covered at least twice, and then we can get some of our Primavera players involved if need be. With Giroud, Colombo and Okafor, we’re all set in attack right now. As a coach, I’d prefer it if the transfer window closed before the start of the season, and I still struggle to understand why a solution hasn’t been found. Nevertheless, I work at an organised Club that is ready to seize any opportunities that arise."

KALULU, ROMERO, REIJNDERS AND BARTESAGHI
"Pierre is a strong player. Right now, we’re considering him more as a full-back option. Bartesaghi is a very interesting prospect; he’s constantly training with us and will work with the Primavera when he’s not with us. He can be a back-up for Theo, as can Florenzi and Calabria. Luka is doing very well; he’s one of the players who is surprising me the most in terms of his attitude and intensity. I’m delighted with him; he’s intelligent, talented and eager. Tijjani is intelligent, works hard, moves a lot and provides us with many solutions."

CHANGES
"Studying my work pushes me to try out new things and find new solutions with the characteristics of my players in mind. Every year, I try to come up with something different in training, as well as in terms of communication and motivation. Sticking to routine can lead to the level flatlining, and I like introducing new situations."

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