PIOLI: "WE MUST BELIEVE WE CAN DO IT"

Our last game of the season, and the most important: the Rossoneri face Atalanta at Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo. Ahead of the game, AC Milan's 38th and final challenge of the Serie A season, Coach Pioli has, as usual, spoken to the press to analyse the key challenges that his team face. His words were broadcast live on the AC Milan Official App. 

THIS WEEK AT THE CLUB
"It's certainly been a strange week. There was a lot of disappointment until Wednesday when we upped the concentration levels and motivation - there were also a few nerves, which is normal. We tried to have the best week possible and I have seen the right attitude. During the week, I also went back over the preparations that my Lazio side, which qualified for the Champions League, did ahead of the final game of the season against Napoli."

REASONS TO BELIEVE
"AC Milan need to believe because we've shown all year that we're a strong side and one that's close to the best teams in the division. We need to believe because we've shown all the quality, spirit, attitude and desire to be a good team. We've played every four or five days since 17 September and have never given up; we've always given everything. What do we need tomorrow evening? Mental fortitude, compactness and quality." 

THE GROUP
"Rebić is a doubt; we'll see tomorrow morning. He's had a problem with his calf and couldn't complete a full training session this morning. The others are well and in great condition. We're all going tomorrow, all 26 players, the team and the Club. The fans will be with us too; we have the conditions to do well. Zlatan will also obviously travel with us, but won't be on the bench. His importance in the growth of this team is clear; we'll need to be mentally strong, determined and fluid."

TOGETHER WITHOUT FEAR
"There have been a lot of conversations and discussions this week - both individual and on a collective level. Motivation is running high. Everything we've done has been to get to tomorrow with the best chance possible to obtain a positive result. The team has never shown fear. Fear is like fire; if you manage it well then it can heat you, otherwise, it burns. The lads have always displayed a brilliant mental attitude. We've never given up, we've never looked beaten. This week, I saw all the things that I wanted to see ahead of tomorrow's game. We cannot think about what might've been, about what we wanted and didn't reach. We have done all we can to recoup our energy throughout this week."

INJURIES
"They've certainly had an impact, especially because we had two blocks of injuries with almost everyone out in a single department, which affected us in the various competitions. For the games that we've played, we're slightly above average, but we had periods with 6-7 players out and this affected us. From Monday, we'll need to take a look at what we can do better in the coming seasons."

ONLY TOMORROW COUNTS
"We'll only take stock at the end - the journalists will give the ratings. For what we've done, we're deservedly third going into tomorrow but any evaluation has to be done after tomorrow evening. Tomorrow's result is the only thing that matters, then we'll be in a better position to take stock of the various emotions. We're convinced that we'll get chances. We need to just be aware of the difficulties that will crop up during the game, but when you're confident, you can overcome them and get a good result."

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