PIOLI: "READY FOR AN IMPORTANT MATCH"

As it was in the reverse fixture, Napoli and AC Milan meet in a top-four clash. The potential prize up for grabs this time around is that much greater, however, with the Azzurri and Rossoneri fighting it out at the top of Serie A. On the eve of the game at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Rossoneri head coach Stefano Pioli has spoken in his pre-match press conference, broadcast live on Milan TV, YouTube and Twitch.

CURRENT FORM
"In July, I hoped we’d be in this position. We should be satisfied with what we’re doing. From now on, every match will be a crossroads, and we’ll need to play each fixture with the utmost confidence in our abilities. Tomorrow, we’ll be up against a side who are doing really well; they possess quality, but so do we. We’ll have to play with strength. I’m convinced that the Coppa Italia derby has given us energy rather than sapped us of it, and we’re ready to play this very important match."

NAPOLI AND THE STADIO MARADONA
"Napoli are a great team and coached very well by Spalletti, but teams without weaknesses don’t exist. They have the best defence in the league, they pass it well and are good in behind. Tomorrow, the team that defends better has more chance of winning. The environment we’ll be playing in is something else to factor in when it comes to our preparations and the match: it’ll be fantastic and exciting for both teams."

INDIVIDUALS AND SELECTIONS
"Ibrahimović is doing better. He trained with the group both yesterday and today and will probably travel with us tomorrow. Rebić is doing fine physically and getting back to optimum condition. He needs to make the most of his opportunities. I think it’ll be important to start with the best team possible but also bring on players who can stop our opponents from having reference points and can have a positive impact on the game. I’ve already decided tomorrow’s starting line-up.”

THE RIGHT APPROACH
"If you enter the pitch with complacency, you’re more likely to pick up a negative result than a positive one. We need to be attentive and display the right mentality, and we’ll work for the whole match with the aim of achieving the best result possible. We need to show more consistency in our play over the course of 90 minutes and beyond to increase our chances of winning games."

LEÃO V OSIMHEN
"They’re two very important players who, however, possess different characteristics. They’re decisive for their respective sides and can be unpredictable and effective. Rafa is looking very good and is becoming a key player in our attacking play."

BENNACER’S FORM
"Isma has done really well since coming back from the Africa Cup of Nations. He’s playing at the level I expect from him on a continuous basis. He was really disappointed with how things went with Algeria, but he has great character. He’s ambitious and I know that he really wants to continue to grow."

BUSINESS END
"The fact we’ve done well against the top sides is a sign of our strength and should give us confidence heading into tomorrow night’s game. From now until 22 May, 33 points are up for grabs. It’ll be a roller coaster that no one wants to get off. It’ll be difficult for any side to be really consistent, but we need to stay focused and play to the best of our abilities."

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