PIOLI: "NO BACKING OUT"

It's back to league action after the international break, with the Rossoneri set to face Bologna on Monday. It’s a tricky fixture that will be played in front of a big crowd, and the aim is to be top of the pile after matchday 31 in Serie A. Coach Pioli has spoken about the match in his pre-match press conference at Milanello today, and his words were broadcast on Milan TV, YouTube and Twitch.

MIHAJLOVIĆ AND BOLOGNA
"I'm really sorry that I won't be taking on Siniša in a sporting capacity but I'm sure I'll see him again soon. He's shown that he can overcome fear and adversity. These are also the characteristics of his team and we'll need to be aware of that. I expect Bologna to be intense and aggressive, and for them to come out and play. We'll need to be motivated and play with quality; we need a big performance."

CHOICES
"The lads are all fine ahead of tomorrow and, therefore, my selections will be based on our tactics for this match. There's one slight doubt in midfield but I'm 'calm' because my players all feel like they have a chance to play. My selection of the starters will be important but so will making the right substitutions. What we have done until now doesn't matter; we can all contribute to making sure that these final eight games end with us reaching our objective." 

THE FANS
"They definitely give us a boost. We need to feed off their energy so that we go out there and play as well as we possibly can."

THE ROSSONERI'S CURRENT FORM
"Tomori was right when he said that we're playing with 'positive tension' and that it's an honour to be going through this spell, also that we need to give our all with quality and a desire to have fun. If we have fun on the pitch, we can do well. The group is attentive and focused and the guys are going through this spell, well aware of the fact that every game brings us that bit closer. The next game is always the most important."

INDIVIDUALS
"They're all fit; we trained well and I was impressed. I'm happy that Olivier scored for France. Theo has become a complete footballer and is good in every phase of the game; France have switched to a back three since his arrival.  When he plays with us alongside Leão or Rebić, he needs to attack the spaces out wide and he does that because he's become a well-rounded and trustworthy player. Ante? He can play through the middle as well as on the left; he doesn't like playing on the right but I think he can do a job there too. It's not important whether you start or come on part-way through, what matters is making a contribution to the team. Ibra will need to help the team - as he always does - to try and get the best out of them. It's his aim and he has always done so - it's his motivation." 

BACK TO SERIE A
"I don't think that the break will have changed the balance. The schedule is tough for every team because we're talking about highly-motivated teams with a lot of quality. I'm certain that the team is ready both mentally and physically. Playing first or after the others? That doesn't matter. We just need to focus on ourselves and our own performance. Knowing how the teams around us have got on this weekend won't change how we prepare. It doesn't matter what the others do, we need to think about what we are doing."

ONWARDS WITH CONFIDENCE
"I know that I have a responsible team and that the boys are aware of how well they are playing right now. They are doing everything possible to keep up the level of football and their focus. We can't let ourselves be influenced by results elsewhere; we need energy for our own games. We don't want to back out and we'll approach these final eight games with energy, strength and motivation."  

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