The Rossoneri are ready to travel to Turin to play their final away game of the season, which will be against Ivan Jurić's Granata on matchday 37 in Serie A. This is what Stefano Pioli had to say during his pre-match press conference at Milanello today:
THE LEAD-UP TO THE MATCH
"It's been a good week: beating Cagliari and clinching second place has allowed us to be calmer. I think this sense of calm could help us perform to a high standard to finish the season well. We'll be coming up against the team that have the best defensive record at home in Serie A."
TORINO
"Jurić is a colleague I respect a lot. It's difficult to play Torino, a club with a great past and prestige. In Serie A, there are some excellent sides, and a lot will miss out on the Champions League. There is an environment at the Granata where mid-level seasons aren't readily accepted. Nevertheless, I think Jurić has done an excellent job."
EVERYONE INVOLVED
"Theo hasn't trained due to a bout of flu; it remains to be seen whether he'll recover in time. Everyone has given their all with a positive attitude this campaign. I told the players that I'll try to play everyone in these last two matches; we'll see if it's possible. Our new signings have shown real willingness and done well this campaign, but, now that they've experienced this environment and Serie A for a season, they can also give even more."
ONLY FOCUSING ON THE PRESENT
"I try not to think about the future. As has always been the case since I've been here at AC Milan, we'll all meet with the Club at the end of the season to decide what will happen. I'm focused on helping the team, and then certain emotions will come into play. I've always had a great relationship with the Club, at all times."
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GROUP
"Oli won't start tomorrow, but I hope he'll reach the 50-goal mark in Rossoneri colours. The relationship I've had and created with the players who have played under me for a long time is a profound one and goes beyond the results we've achieved. I can only be grateful and happy. I do this job for the excitement, which is exactly what I've experienced with my players. It's something that goes beyond the judgements that are made. I can only thank my players."
THE LEGACY OF LEADERS
"Oli, Simon and Zlatan have been very important players in terms of character and leadership. In these past five years, many others have grown and will take on the role of leading the group. We won the Scudetto because everyone - absolutely everyone - gave their all. Especially in the second half of that campaign, we did something exceptional. We managed to create magic. Undoubtedly, Giroud has been a vital player and man for the growth of this team, and the same applies to Kjær and Ibra. I have an unbreakable connection with them."
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