PIOLI: "IT ALL DEPENDS ON US"

The international break is now behind us and AC Milan travel to Napoli to kick off the month of April. Stefano Pioli's Rossoneri have various big matches coming up this month, starting with the first of three matches against the Azzurri in Serie A and the Champions League. Three important points are up for grabs at the Maradona on matchday 28. Ahead of the game, Coach Pioli gave his press conference at Milanello, live on Milan TV, YouTube and Twitch.

THE RUN-IN
"We've just had the final international break of the season, and now two decisive months await. All judgements and verdicts remain incomplete, and we can still do a lot in the coming weeks. During the break, I told the lads that nothing has changed since last year. Nobody believed in us last season, and this is also the case this time around. It all depends on us and what we do. We can still have a positive season, even a glorious one. But it could end up being negative, too. The past no longer counts; the important thing is what we now do in Serie A and the Champions League, starting from this game."

PREPARATION FOR THE MARADONA
"There is the possibility of a change at the back, although we have never talked about a three or four-man backline. We've tried both formations, we'll choose the best one. If we play as we know we can play, we can win, I have a lot of confidence in my players. I think we have the ability to put in a great performance and cause Napoli some problems, who deserve all the compliments they are getting. The boys know they have to give it their all to pull off something unlikely."

OUR OPPONENTS
"It is obvious that Osimhen is very good, but without him Napoli have always won, for example in the first meeting: his absence won't affect my selection. It's obvious that they've been much better than us in the league. In the first game we didn't deserve to lose, we caused them more problems than most teams have this year. This time, in the league, we can win playing, we are AC Milan, in the Champions League it will be another story regardless of the result this weekend."

HOW WE'RE GOING INTO THIS ONE
"I believe in a cohesive group that has good values and high standards. The boys haven't let themselves be influenced too much by what has been said outside Milanello. We have done better in the Champions League than in the league, and we have some exciting fixtures coming up. It is up to us. We've managed the break in the best possible way, the team is ready after Zlatan and Pierre's injuries: we're ready."

INDIVIDUALS
"Leão is the only player in the team who can move wherever he wants on the pitch, when we have the ball: he will play in what I think is his best position. I'm the biggest fan of what Ibra has done in this team, but it's impossible to give him all the credit. The team is capable of playing well without him and of proving themselves strong. It was very difficult to win the league and to win it again is even more so. Vranckx? He's getting better, he's definitely a strong young man. Then I have to make choices, there are many midfielders. It's up to those who aren’t picked to prove me wrong. Aster, like others of his teammates, is doing everything he can to make me change my mind."

THE RETURN TO ACTION
"With the players who were here over the break we worked hard. Those who played in the national team came back well, I think the team is in good condition in terms of energy. We'll need everyone, there's room to recover but before the Champions League we have to think about one game at a time: it's very important for us to do well in the league. Will we need eyes, patience and luck? These are important characteristics, but we will also need quality. I'm sure the team has mental fortitude, it has been shown. The last two months have been below our expectations, but the team has not forgotten how to play. I will choose the players capable of playing the best game, bearing in mind that the subs can also make a difference in such a tricky game."

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