PIOLI: "IMPORTANT GAME BUT NOT DECISIVE"

The games are coming thick and fast and after the Serie A weekend, it's Champions League time again, only eight days since the last. AC Milan are ready for their first home game, hosting Dinamo Zagreb on the second matchday of Group E, in an important and complicated match. At Milanello, the press conference on the eve of the match with Coach Stefano Pioli and Alexis Saelemaekers was streamed live from 14.30 CEST on Milan TV, YouTube and Twitch.

PIOLI

PLAYING IN EUROPE
"If we play at a high level, both in Italy and in Europe, we can win all our games. Last year against Atletico we played well in both games, one we won and one we lost. Our goal is to play at a high tactical, technical and mental level. I field the best team for every game. The team is well, I know the minutes of each of my players, we are missing some players but we have got Krunić back.”

OPPONENTS
"Tomorrow we have an important match which we need to face with a desire to win. We have the ambition to reach our full potential on the pitch in this match which although not decisive, remains very important match. Dinamo Zagreb is a team that beat Chelsea, playing effective defensive football and restarting very well. In the Croatian league they average three goals per game, but with Chelsea they played a different but better game, waiting for the opponent and hitting them on the counter-attack. They are a fast team, with two strikers of very high quality who compliment each other well, one physical who connects, the other fast who goes deep."

INDIVIDUALS
"It's a shame but not a worry for Origi. We are absolutely convinced of his qualities, he is a player we really wanted. His absence is a shame, we hope he can return after the break. Leão? He can always do better, we demand more even though I believe he is already playing at an impressive level, from a physical and mental point of view. Leão sets the benchmark for the team, when he has the ball he can always determine something. Every game is different, and tomorrow he will have to be good at making the right choices”.

ATTACKING DEPARTMENT
"Olivier is always happy to play. Charles is doing well, last year with Club Brugge he played in attack in a few Champions League games. If needed, he could play in a more advanced position. There are a few key players missing like Rebić and Origi, rotation is lacking. I have able players, however, and I'm not worried after a good start to the season. We have to get the most from the next two games because we are playing in front of our amazing fans who for years have created an energy at San Siro which we have to take advantage of ".

SAELEMAEKERS

DEBUT GOAL
"To score in the Champions League is a goal that i have had since a child, to make it happen was a massive moment. Now the most important thing is to play well as a team and win matches".

COMPETITION
"It is important to have competition for your position, one of great quality like Junior, because it pushes you to give every week during training to prove you deserve to start. In big clubs it is normal to have competition. I respect the coach's decision. The only thing I want to do is to play, it doesn't matter where, I will always give my best. I don't think I have given my very best yet, I can still improve more".

MENTALITY
"Every game is important for us, we don't worry too much about what Dinamo have done. We have to play with passion and with our mentality. The most important thing for us is to play to our strengths. We are a strong side and we can win lots of games. We have already shown last year that we are a family on the pitch".

CDK
"Charles is doing well here, I have helped him with matters off the pitch because it is not easy to integrate into a new city. On the pitch, he is a great player and I am sure that he will find a way to be of help to the team".

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