PIOLI: "FOCUS, COMPACTNESS, AND QUALITY NEEDED"

The Rossoneri are back home at San Siro for one of the biggest games of the season. Stefano Pioli's side will be looking to extend their positive run of results and AC Milan v Napoli, matchday 24 in Serie A, represents a good chance to keep it going. The boss previewed the game, scheduled for Sunday 11 February at 20:45 CET, in his press conference:

AC MILAN V NAPOLI
"Napoli are not doing great in the table but they have great statistics, especially in attack. Tactics have changed with Mazzari. Napoli has quality, we need to face them with respect and focus. Both sides have forwards that can change the game, we will also need to be tight in the midfield. There needs to be a high level of organisation and play".

THE SQUAD
"We are doing well mentally and physically, having free weeks has allowed us to work and recover well, arriving at the next fixture at our best. We are offensively inclined as a side, in terms of characteristics and ideas, but we also need to take care of and improve the defensive phase. The game against Napoli is too important, we will only think about Rennes afterwards. We want to compete right until the end in both the league and the Europa League, trying to win, but it will be difficult; the competition is very high, we shouldn't get too far ahead of ourselves".

PERSONAL LANDMARK
"Sacchi was a fantastic coach of his era, an innovator. Equaling him for the number of appearances in the Rossoneri dugout can only make me proud. I love my work, I have great passion for it, I have been fortunate in my career as a coach and a player. The pleasure of coaching always trumps the pressure and criticism, the positive elements prevail, in particular having a group of special people".

THE FOURTH KIT
"Usually I judge them after they've been worn, but I like all the AC Milan shirts".

INDIVIDUALS
"Bennacer is doing well and is available to start. Maignan is a star, he either wins or he learns and will come out of it stronger. The players back from injury are doing well: Thiaw is back in the group but won't be part of the matchday squad, the coming week will be very important for Tomori and Kalulu. Jović is an option, he can also play in a duo with Giroud but we'll see. Loftus-Cheek is always important, he will need to read the opposition's set-up well. Camarda is growing, he has done something exceptional with us but needs to continue his journey in the Primavera; he definitely has the right attitude and the potential to be a future AC Milan centre-forward".

DE KETELAERE
"He is having a good season, in a different squad and position, after a year of experience with us".

BLUE CARDS
"I like to see rhythm in games, it would be something that brings about more pauses, explanations, and time lost".

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