PIOLI: "IT'S TIME TO START PUSHING"

With a full week of work behind them, the last before an intense cycle of matches that will see the team on the pitch every three days, AC Milan are approaching their second fixture of the season at San Siro: they face Siniša Mihajlović's Bologna in a match scheduled for 20:45 CEST on Saturday 27th. Prior to the match against the Rossoblù, Coach Stefano Pioli gave his thoughts during the pre-match press conference, live from Milanello, on Milan TV, on YouTube and on Twitch. Here's what he had to say.

THE MATCH AGAINST BOLOGNA
"It is the most important game. I will field the best formation, also depending on the opponents. We are working well to send players deep, but we have to be more lucid. When the defender reads the movement, we have to change the play."

PERFORMANCE
"I honestly don't know if reminiscing about last year's games is the right way forward. What interests me is the performance of the squad. I have been impressed with the performance, but it is missing something. Because Saturday will be a tough game against an opponent who will make it difficult for us, we have to play well to get the victory."

THE EUROPEAN DRAW
"It's different from last year in being drawn from the first pot. The Champions League demands performances of the highest quality and you have to give it everything. We have cards to play and we must not underestimate anyone. I remember that Real Madrid lost to Sheriff, and we are not even Real. Last year's experiences taught us to raise our level."

MATCHING UP WITH EUROPE
"The English teams are spending money that is unimaginable for us Italian clubs. In these three years we have shown that with compactness, talent and determination you can do important things. Clearly the Champions League demands a very high level, we believe we have grown and we will have the chance to prove it in the group stage."

ATTITUDE
"No arrogance, what I like in my players is their attitude. In Bergamo we did not play with superficiality but with courage and generosity, we won many duels against a team more physical than us. We made history with the Scudetto, but this team wants to write another chapter. As long as I see this in the eyes of my players I consider myself a lucky coach."

STARTERS
"Olivier or Divock will start, they are both growing in condition. From tomorrow we will play seven games in 21 days. I don't have a starting 11 but a group of starters. We need all the players, it's time to start pushing now that the important appointments are coming up."

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMERS
"We are at the start of the season. We have only played two games. Bennacer has great quality and I have no doubts about him. He has put out performances on the field and must continue in this way. He has the qualities to be a complete central midfielder. On CDK? He has my trust, he has great potential. He may be ready to start from the beginning but some time is needed, he has changed so much. Adli? He will be available. I like him a lot but I have to make choices, because of his characteristics I see it difficult to play him in the two-man midfield, I see it easier when we play with a three-man midfield. Leão? The way he's training I don't see a guy who is nervous or worried. Against Atalanta he had some great touches, the judgement on him could have changed if his shot had gone in. He has to think about improving himself because he can still go up a level, but he is well on his way."

DEFENSE
"We have to improve defensively, we conceded two bad goals against Udinese, and we conceded one on an own goal against Atalanta. In Bergamo we had to capitalise on our chances better, there was a chance to go ahead. We need to improve communication on set-pieces and have more precision in the final third. In the midfield? It's not true that we were outnumbered in midfield. We forced Pašalić to chase Tonali. For Kessié I remember last year you were asking why he always played and now you regret it. We are a strong team in our mentality and now we want to get back to winning ways."

FORMATION
"I like the players to find solutions, they are the ones who direct me. We have three attacking midfielders in the squad and taking them all out becomes complicated. We are dynamic and fluid, we will evaluate as the games go by but we will always try to respect the qualities of the players. Pobega is more of an insertion player."

BACKUPS
"Kjær is doing much better and gives us a positive feeling. Simon is a starter. His recovery, in terms of charisma, personality and performance, is good for all of us. With Rade's absence, we have Pobega and Bakayoko playing for a place, both are ready to play. In the next games we will see them on the pitch. Playing such an intense schedule, it is difficult not to have drops in performance or injuries, and that is why we will have rotations aimed at increasing the level of the team in each game."

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