PIOLI: "FULLY FOCUSED ON LAZIO"

The Rossoneri's March will begin at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The Serie A Matchday 27 clash sees AC Milan go away to Lazio, which will be followed by the Europa League round of 16. At Milanello, Coach Stefano Pioli spoke in a pre-match press conference, here are his words:

OLIMPICO AFTER ATALANTA
"We want to produce the same performance as last week whilst aiming for a different result. We analysed the positives after Atalanta but also tried to understand why we couldn't score one more than them because we had the chance to. We need to be more cynical".

ONWARDS TO LAZIO
"They are a team with great quality that comes off the back of an unsatisfactory performance. They will be motivated but can also be thrown off by playing with intensity. The game against Slavia Praha will be very important, we are studying them but are fully focused on Lazio. Then we will have an almost full week, there won't be changes in Rome in order to rest players. I believe that both sides will try to play with different ideas. The midfield battles will be very important".

PRAISE FROM SPALLETTI
"It is always nice to be complimented by your colleagues because only those who do this job know what it truly means. I have always had great respect for Luciano, we spoke a few weeks ago and he is a coach that I have always appreciated for how he makes his sides play and how he develops players. He is deservedly in charge of the Italy squad and I wish him good luck for the upcoming fixtures".

ONE GAME AT A TIME
"I think that the top spot in the league is decided, Inter are recording incredible numbers as Napoli did last year. 21 April is too far away. We have a big game ahead of us and there are various goals to meet before we think about the derby. During the international break, we will see what the season as a whole could look like. Champions League spots? Allegri spoke about 70 points, there is still a way to go". 

INDIVIDUALS
"Davide is doing well, this is key. Florenzi's performances are important, I cannot go wrong because they are both ready to start or to come on: they are two willing lads who want to do well for the team. Reijnders is also doing well, I chose Adli against Atalanta for his defensive positioning. I want to wish Tijjani all the best on the birth of his son, I saw him incredibly happy and he trained well. Rafa is growing a lot in attitude, and this is good for him. Tomori will be in the full squad.

WHERE WE CAN IMPROVE
"We need to improve our away stats, this is a clear goal. We have always been a side that tries to play the game regardless, and we'll need to do this against Lazio who know how to dribble well. We have a strategy, it will be necessary to advance it with absolute mental consistency".

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