After a long wait, the Rossoneri are about to return to the Champions League matchup in San Siro: from 19 February 2014 to Atletico Madrid until 28 September 2021. After losing to Liverpool in the first group match in the Champions League, AC Milan are eager to score their first points in Group B against Simeone's side. On the eve of the match, head coaches Pioli and Brahim Díaz spoke at a press conference in Milanello to look ahead to the upcoming match.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="2" > Stefano Pioli's idea</h1>
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="4" > the recent state of the Rossoneri</h1>
"We've really been really good at taking the opportunity to do more things lately to improve ourselves. We are indeed a young team and that gives the team extra value. We will use energy, desire, enthusiasm, and the support of the fans to make up for our inexperience, and they will help us tremendously tomorrow. Our goal is to do our best to perform as much as we can, one venue after another. What's the future? We only focus on tomorrow's game and we need to play at the best level in tomorrow's game. ”
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="8" > Atletico Madrid and tomorrow's game</h1>
"Until last Saturday, they were undefeated and at the top of the La Liga table. They are a strong team with a great coach and a group of very experienced players who are very good at catching small mistakes to punish their opponents. From a technical point of view, we need to play at our best and stay focused from the start of the game to the final whistle. The level of the Champions League is much higher and the details will dictate everything. Our goal conceded at Liverpool was caused by inattention; we needed to play simple and fast football to avoid making bad decisions. It will be a crucial but not decisive game. We have four group games left after tomorrow's game, but we hope to get points in this game. ”
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="12" > player's personal situation</h1>
"In a situation like this, even a two-week absence means you'll be a little uncomfortable when you return; it was right to have Giroud play against Spezia, whose form will improve in the next game. Special's performance on the defensive end is improving; his performance on Saturday was one of the best performances of his red-and-black career. As for Kyal and Florenzi, training sessions today and tomorrow will be crucial; we will assess their physical condition. For other absent players, they will be more likely to return after the international break. ”
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="15" > Brahim Dias's idea</h1>
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="17" > trust from the club</h1>
"I have always felt the trust that Stefano Pioli, the club and the staff have placed in me since I came here. The game against Juventus in May was particularly fantastic; I played very well in that game and I have always had the trust that the team has placed in me. It's true that there are a lot of young and talented players in Italy, but I don't think they'll get more praise here than they did in Spain. Here I feel the responsibility, but I can't do it on my own: we need to be united. ”
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="21" > heritage and mission</h1>
"I'm always trying to be the best I can, to help the team as much as I can; that's the only thing I can do and the most important thing. We have a great spirit and a passion; we aspire to victory. We are a truly united team and we support each other. We're like a big family, and thanks to coaching, we're doing great and we're gradually achieving some big things. We can still improve, and we have to do that in order to maintain such a high standard. Personally, I don't feel like a leader; I just contribute as much as I can. ”
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="25" > tomorrow's game</h1>
"The only thing I focus on is doing my best here. Joining the team from Real Madrid gave me an extra bit of motivation, but what really matters is to win tomorrow's game. Atletico Madrid are a very strong team, they have a lot of talented players who fight very hard in every game – just as they have won in the last minutes of many matches, which proves everything. ”