PIOLI: "QUALIFICATION STILL NEEDS TO BE EARNED"

The Rossoneri are coming off three consecutive victories between Serie A and the Europa League, but there are no plans on stopping. The opportunity to extend the positive momentum comes in European competition: the Eden Aréna in Prague, for the return leg of the Europa League Round of 16. On the eve of the match in the Czech capital, Coach Stefano Pioli and Fikayo Tomori spoke prior to Slavia Praha v AC Milan in the press conference:

STEFANO PIOLI

THE PRIMAVERA IN THE YOUTH LEAGUE
"On the way to the stadium, we managed to catch the final minutes and the penalties. I give huge compliments to Ignazio (Abate) and the boys for a result that certifies the excellent work of our Youth Sector."

BETWEEN THE FIRST AND THE SECOND LEG
"We analysed the 30 minutes of numerical parity a lot, during which Slavia did well. However, we are convinced that it won't be the same game and the same opponent. We know we have taken a decent advantage, but the tie needs to be won in this match, with a performance at the highest level. We are aware that they are used to attacking a lot, with intensity, but this could lead us to find spaces."

THE ROSSONERI ON THE EVE OF THE MATCH
"I saw a lot of serenity and attention in the players; we prepared with concentration because we know it's an important objective. We can't just replicate another match, but we're aware of the kind of performance that will be needed. The result? It's always important; we believe that playing better than the opponents increases the chances of winning."

ROTATIONS AND TACTICAL CHOICES
"It's very important to have Fik and Pierre back; they are players skilled in speed and in 1-v-1 situations. With them, we have the opportunity to broaden the rotations, and there will be space for everyone in the upcoming matches. When you have many strong players, choices become easy, but there's also the possibility of having a plan B to eventually correct the initial choices. I chose the line-up this morning during the finishing session, based on positions and what we want to do on the field."

FIKAYO TOMORI

COMING BACK FROM INJURY
"I feel good; I'm happy to be back on the field. We work in every game to put on a good performance, to win. And it will be the same here. I want to help the team defensively; we know they have quality, intensity, and energy and that they will be supported by a hot atmosphere. We need to be ready, all together."

THE RECIPE FOR GROWTH
"In football, it's difficult to determine a single thing to improve. We want to grow in every aspect. There have been games where we've conceded, moments when we couldn't perform as we wanted. But we work daily to improve; we'll play a game where defending well and attacking decisively will be important."

DEFENCE AND THE GROUP
"This season, many players have alternated as central defenders, and this tells us that many want to help the team. It's not just 3-4 of us doing this role, and we all know how to perform well. We have a good group: I try to be happy on the field, to be a support for my teammates."

THE OBJECTIVES FOR THE ROSSONERI
"At the beginning of the year, we wanted to win every game, but we remain a team that wants to achieve the full result in every match. The goal is to finish as high as possible in the league and to win the Europa League, starting from this match that we want to win."

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