AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli was looking forward to this evening’s Serie A clash against Lazio.
Speaking to gathered reporters in a press conference yesterday (via LazioNews24), the 55-year-old Italian coach first spoke about the physical conditions of Rade Krunic and Olivier Giroud.
It was a pretty good break, we didn’t need Krunic’s injury. There comes a time in the season when we will be busy every three days.
Krunic won’t be there and neither will Giroud, he hasn’t played for a fortnight, we’ll see him on Monday.
He then moved onto discussing the conditions of key players Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Franck Kessie.
They are well, they have worked continuously in these two weeks. They are available for tomorrow. Zlatan knows his condition very well. He sacrificed a lot to recover, working from morning to night.
He’s in good shape now and I think he can have a part of the game tomorrow, not 90 minutes, so he’ll be in better shape and ready for the next games.
Pioli looked ahead to this evening’s match against Lazio.
A spectacular match. Lazio are very strong in all areas, they combine quality and physicality, they’re off to a strong start.
We’re in good shape and we want to try and win tomorrow too.
The 55-year-old Italian coach suggested this his side were not interested in signing Biancocelesti midfielder Luis Alberto this summer.
I’ve never had any request, I’m happy with my team.
He commented on the new Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri, who replaced Simone Inzaghi earlier this summer.
Our motivation is always at its highest, he is a coach who has won in Italy and England.
When you face colleagues like that there is a high level, but it’s not a challenge between Sarri and Pioli but between Lazio and AC Milan.
He spoke about the strengths of Biancocelesti winger Felipe Anderson.
Felipe had an exceptional season with me, every now and then he seems to leave the game but then he has important flashes.
I hope he can continue to do well, but from the next game. The team is ready to counter him.
Finally, Pioli spoke about the growth of Lazio under Sarri.
They’ve shown that the work done in the summer has been assimilated.
They’re a team that knows how to stay on the pitch, it’s a game where the quality on the pitch will make the difference.
AC Milan have had a strong start to the season, winning their opening two games against Sampdoria 1-0 and Cagliari 4-1.
Next week, the Rossoneri will face Liverpool in their Champions League opener.
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