PIOLI: "OUR STRENGTH LIES IN THE GROUP"

AC Milan travel to the Stadio Brianteo to take on Monza on Serie A matchday 23. After the 4-1 win at San Siro in the reverse fixture, the Rossoneri take on the Biancorossi, coached by Palladino and unbeaten in the league in 2023. Ahead of the game - tomorrow at 18:00 CET - Stefano Pioli gave his pre-match press conference, which was broadcast live on Milan TV, YouTube and Twitch.

THE ROSSONERI’S CURRENT MINDSET
"Even in difficult moments we have never stopped believing in ourselves, in our group, and we have always felt the support of our fans. I believe that this is our real strength. I have seen focus and energy in the team. Everyone takes the results to heart, we must be bulletproof to criticism and praise, which is always excessive in both directions. It's the league that will allow us to play the Champions League again next year: Monza, Atalanta and Fiorentina will be very important matches; then we will think about London."

BUILD-UP TO MONZA
"We are going into this one off the back of two very good games, but we will have to be careful. It was a good week, but we will play a difficult match, against a team that is in good shape: we will need the best possible performance to win. I congratulate Palladino for his work, for a proactive team that plays offensive football. In the first game against them, the scoreline was comfortable, but it was not an easy challenge: we will have to play with confidence. This is an opportunity to take advantage of in order to get more points on the board, while having the utmost respect for an opponent that plays good football."

INDIVIDUALS
"Torino and Tottenham were tough matches, but many players are FIT and I have a lot of options. Tomori is available, Bennacer is still not: he's still feeling some discomfort, we don't want to risk it and I hope he'll be available for Atalanta. Calabria, who had a problem with a hip muscle, won't be there. Vranckx is getting there and is ready to give us a hand. Thiaw has very good qualities and has everything to become a very strong defender. In attack, we have Giroud who is doing well, but Origi is also ready: I will make my evaluations. Ibra? This week he has worked well and improved his fitness, he will be available."

TACTICAL DECISIONS
"I like being able to play two ways, I think it gives us an element of unpredictability against the opponents. We will certainly carry on like this at Monza, then we'll see. Against Tottenham, I was happy with the performance of both central-midfielders, we can grow in the build-up but as soon as Bennacer returns we'll have an extra option. On the wings? Saelemaekers played there in Belgium, it's a role that Messias also knows: both can give us something important in one-on-one situations. Alexis has to be careful not to get caught behind in defense".

TOGETHER AS ONE
"Our strength lies in the group, which is fantastic. Everyone helps each other, I have seen determination and concentration in each of my players. De Ketelaere? Leão, Tonali and Kalulu have experienced similar moments, and it's nice to see everyone's support for Charles, the desire to help one another is always there: I'm sure he will show us some results soon. In Monza, we will have to be better in both phases, situations change quickly, but the team is eager to do well".

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