PIOLI: "DETERMINED, ALERT AND PROACTIVE"

After the first two fixtures against Bologna and Torino, AC Milan's third match of the league season is on the horizon. Awaiting the Rossoneri is a tricky away game at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, where Stefano Pioli's men will face Giallorossi. At Milanello, the Coach spoke about the upcoming showdown and more in his pre-match press conference. This is what he had to say:

ROMA v AC MILAN
“Every match is important, we’re playing against a very strong team managed by a great coach. Roma did not get off to a good start, but they have important stats in some aspects, we want to win and build on the successes against Bologna and Torino. We will look to be determined, alert, proactive and dangerous. In matches like this, you have to minimise the margin for error, we have prepared as best we can to pass such a difficult test.” 

TEST
“We know the atmosphere in Roma well, it’s always nice to play in full stadiums facing challenging opposition. With or without Dybala and Lukaku, the Giallorossi are fit, they have quality, they are fearsome in dead ball situations and in general, they don’t tend to concede much.” 

CLEAR IDEAS
“From the preseason training camp onwards, I’ve insisted on certain concepts, we worked on how we wanted to play from the beginning and the new arrivals are intelligent, they’ve assimilated our ideas quickly. Against Torino we were more compact than in Bologna, in Rome, we'll learn even more about this aspect of the team. In Rome, in possession, we will try to occupy the spaces that the opponents leave us, out of possession, the idea is to be aggressive. If they wait for us, we will also need calmness and clarity."

LOOKING TOWARDS THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW
“Last season we had a great run, we’ll approach this year in a positive and willing manner. Being in the third pot we’ll probably have a tough group, but we will be ready to play against anyone.” 

CARDINALE, PRESENCE AND SUPPORT
"He has a great charisma and mentality, he wants to grow and improve AC Milan. He is motivated and enthusiastic, also encouraging us to always be more ambitious." 

TRANSFER WINDOW CLOSING
“I have such capable managers that I have been left calm preparing for the game over the last few days; they are taking care of the market as always and so far I am very satisfied with what has been done. We have changed a lot, almost a whole team. Krunic? In my eyes, he’s a starter. Pulisic false nine? Anything is possible if the player has a foundation of talent and availability. Loftus-Cheek has the skills available to make a difference offensively. Okafor is recovering from an injury, perhaps he is the furthest behind in terms of condition but he is working well. Chukwueze and Musah are good, Summer preparation was peculiar given the negotiations but they are ready to play from the first minute."

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