PIOLI: "AN IMPORTANT AND DIFFICULT GAME"

We're already back to the Europa League. AC Milan take on Lille, their third and final opponent in Group H, on matchday 3. Ahead of the game - Thursday at 21:00 CET at San Siro - Stefano Pioli and Simon Kjær held a press conference at Milanello. Here's what they had to say:

STEFANO PIOLI

AC MILAN v LILLE
"It'll be an important game; both us and them are going well. Lille are a good team. It won't be decisive but there's a lot to play for. We've started well in the group and want to continue in this manner. There'll be a few changes; we need energy and freshness - we'll know more after the final training session."  

THE TEAM
"We want to boss the game and play positive football. We're a young side but are already mature on the pitch; we're working well together. Our strength is balance. We're conscious of what we've done well, and also of what we still need to do. We're just at the start and need to have the courage to continue to grow and find the right drive, always showing readiness, duty and sacrifice. I've always believed in the quality of my players and my team. We need to keep improving and we can be more clinical."

DÍAZ AND DALOT
"Díaz and Dalot were brought in for their quality and ability. They've done really well to learn our style of play so quickly and have given the team a massive hand. They're young but very serious and hungry." 

SIMON KJÆR

HIS PAST AT LILLE
"My stint with Lille was really important in my career. It was like a new beginning after my time in Germany and was a period of great growth. My son was also born while I was there. Times have changed, but they're still a strong and organised side - it's always a pleasure to play against them."

HIS PRESENT AT AC MILAN
"I like playing and I'm feeling good on the pitch. I'm happy with how my time with the Rossoneri is going. I'm doing everything I can to give all that I can. I've never doubted my own quality; I know how hard I work. The important thing is the team. We're growing, have great players all over and are a young group with lots of potential. We're happy with what we're doing and where we are, but we've not done anything yet. We need to keep this going." 

IBRAHIMOVIĆ
"Zlatan is a great professional. He's giving us a huge hand and a winning mentality. He always wants to win."

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