PIOLI: "AN IMPORTANT STAGE BEGINS"

October is upon us and brings with it one of the most intense periods of the season. It is continuous cycle of important matches, between domestic fixtures and the Champions League, where the margin for error is minimal and requires great attention. First up is the trip to Empoli, where we will take to the field at 20.45 CEST. Coach Stefano Pioli spoke during the usual pre-match press conference from Milanello, presenting the match at the Castellani, here's what he had to say:

PREVIEWING EMPOLI
"Analysing the data, Empoli are a side that try to get close to you and stop you from playing: we'll have to be good to give options to who is on the ball, even though Maignan is missing Tătărușanu can play with his feet. They are a busy side and very good technically. We'll have to alert, compact, and above all, very active in both sides of the game. We're on the back of a defeat and want to get back to winning ways: we'll need determination and togetherness."

THE SEASON
"From tomorrow onwards, we'll have twelve games in 48 days, it's going to be an important part of the season, but our mentality doesn't need to change, just think about one game at a time, always giving our all. The breaks are always strange, there were several players who were very busy, but yesterday and today I saw the squad working really well. So far, we've only really played under our expectation levels at Reggio Emilia. We've started the season well but not perfectly, especially away from home: we could, and possibly, should have had a few more points."

ATTACK AND DEFENCE
"Against Napoli we created many chances, we need to get into the habit of transforming these into goal. We need to put more of our chances created away and be more alert and clear-minded in defence."

I SINGOLI
"Rebić is well and will be in the squad, he gives us some physicality and depth. Origi is progressing, but he's not fully recovered yet. Giroud is just a champion at everything, a person of great stature. What he's doing on the pitch isn't a surprise to us because we know of his quality: we wish him again a very Happy Birthday. The absences of Maignan and Hernández? We're a strong group, we have other players to come in. Pobega is doing really well and is an important player for us, he's less of a ball-player but is great at timing his runs forward. I have total confidence in Ballo-Touré, he's been given time to grow. Dest, Thiaw and Vranckx are all ready, we followed them closely with their respective countries and they all did really well. From De Ketelaaere, I'm just expecting him to continue doing as he is doing, like against Napoli in our attacking plays. He's an intelligent lad and will become a champion one day. Krunić and Bennacer will come back for Empoli stronger and more mature."

REFEREE FERRIERI CAPUTI'S DEBUT
"I wish her all the best. Being a referee is always very tough, i have great respect for them, and I've always thought the introduction of VAR would make referees more relaxed. I hope it's doing that because they are backed up more thanks to the technology."

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