PIOLI: "WE'RE MORE TOGETHER THAN EVER"

After two trips on the road, in the Champions League and Serie A, AC Milan are raring to go back in front of the San Siro faithful as they face Cioffi's Udinese side on matchday 11. At Milanello, Coach Pioli, in his pre-match press conference, previewed the game:

THE DRAW WITH NAPOLI
"Expectations are always very high, but that's normal because we are AC Milan. We earned a two-goal lead after playing really well in the first half; we should've come away with a win. It's a shame we conceded and allowed Napoli a way back into the game, but it's gone and we're now just looking ahead to the next game".

AC MILAN V UDINESE
"I believe Udinese will play a waiting game and line up with a tight, low block. The main difficulties will be finding the right spaces to surprise them, but at the same time not be left open ourselves on the counter. We'll need to remain composed, patient and compact. We'll put our best possible side out there tomorrow; we want to win and then start to think about the Champions League".

RETURNS AND INAVAILABLITY
"Loftus-Cheek is well and will be available for Udinese, while Pulisic, Chukwueze and Kjær should be back for PSG. In the last two weeks, we've had a few players out and rotation has been restricted, but the situation is improving. Playing so many games inevitably increases the likelihood of injury, and also the spectacle pays too."

THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE DRESSING ROOM
"I'm extremely satisfied with the group that's been formed, as I am with our identity. I can safely say that I never have any doubts about the togetherness and cohesion; the lads are open and their attitude has always been top notch. Even in the Scudetto-winning year, we weren't as together as this group are, but we do need to up our performances from a technical and concentration point of view. Lots of people are working hard here at Milanello; I speak with Furlani and Moncada on a daily basis. I think highly of Ibra but the Club supports me in everything."

INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS
"Romero has trained really well since joining. I thought he might have been able to be a bit more incisive against Napoli; I'm not yet sure if he'll start tomorrow. Reijnders, like Theo, isn't dropping off, but we are hoping for a few more assists and goals from him. Giroud is a great person and player; I've always been lucky to coach many top centre-forwards, and he is certainly one of them. We all need to improve because that 1% extra from everyone can make the difference."

THE DEFENSIVE UNIT
"In the defence, we have some issues with numbers. We might be able to do something in the January market and if necessary the Club will be ready to do so. Simić is an interesting player; he's trained with us in the past and has done this week, too. Musah has very good qualities for us, and can also play full-back if need be."

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