PIOLI: "THROUGH HARDSHIP WE'LL PROVE OUR WORTH"

After three home games in a row, including the most recent outing in the Coppa Italia, the Rossoneri are back on the road in the league. On the eve of Cagliari v AC Milan on matchday 18 in Serie A, a game that will kick off at 20:45 CET on Monday 18 January at the Sardegna Arena, Stefano Pioli held a press conference at Milanello. 

CAGLIARI
"We need to be ready: a difficult match awaits against a team that will be very determined and have picked up fewer points than they’ve deserved. We need to show a lot of respect. Cagliari are a well-prepared side with excellent players. Matches need to be played with conviction and determination: we need to dig in and grit our teeth because our opponents have some important qualities. It’d be a mistake to approach the match in a different way to what we usually do: as always, we’ll try to control proceedings."

POSITIVE PERCEPTION
"The harmonic atmosphere has made us a close-knit and cohesive group. The team are playing with their heads and hearts: this is an aspect that I really like and one which we must carry on doing. We’re doing a good job and we’ll try to continue to do so, being top at the halfway stage counts for little. Tomorrow’s match will provide challenges, this must be our only focus."

ÇALHANOĞLU AND HERNÁNDEZ’S ABSENCES
"These are two big absences, but this is how it is this season. There are challenges and they can present themselves very quickly, and this is why we need to have a ready and complete team. So far, we’ve used our energy supplies well when we’ve been in emergency situations. We’ve got important qualities that will allow us to play well. This season is an unusual one for everyone, up until a month ago I had the whole group at my disposal. Given the general situation and that we’re playing so often, things like this can happen. This is why the Club has provided me with an excellent squad, both in terms of numbers and quality. These are challenges that need to be faced with determination and conviction."

IBRA’S RECOVERY
"Everyone is aware of Zlatan’s importance and what he brings on a technical level and in terms of his character. He’s looked good and ready to play in the past few days. The team have shown that they’ve assimilated playing concepts, but I don’t agree when people say that we play better without Ibra."

THE TRANSFER MARKET
"I have a lot of confidence in the directors and am leaving the big task of completing the squad to them, we’re only thinking about Cagliari. As I mentioned, it’s an unusual season and the Club will be ready if opportunities present themselves."

OUR FANS
"I don’t think that the fans’ morale has been hit. I have the feeling that they’re fired up and confident, there’s enthusiasm. These difficulties provide opportunities to show our worth."

MEÏTE’S ARRIVAL
"Soualiho adds competition to an area of the pitch where we’re already solid. He’s arrived in good condition on both a physical and mental level. He’s been attentive and eager. I like the fact that he said he was an ambitious player, this is the right way to become part of our group."

THE ROSSONERI’S PATH
"I’ve always had a lot of confidence in my players. Those who arrived in January 2020 have lent us a big hand and, alongside them, we’ve grown, showing diligence and consistency in our work in the process. There’s room for improvement, but we want to remain on this train for a long time now that we’re on it."

KJÆR’S PRESENCE
"Simon is important due to his ability to communicate and coordinate his fellow defenders in marking and covering up spaces that have been temporarily left free, he helps us out a lot on the pitch. We’re an attacking side, but we know that we always need to work with intensity in defence too."

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