‘Wasn’t worried Milan would draw Bayer Leverkusen’

Milan coach Stefano Pioli instructed he was calm in the course of the Europa League Spherical of 16 draw and referred to as on his workforce to return to successful methods in opposition to Atalanta.

The Rossoneri suffered a good 3-2 defeat to Rennes within the second leg of their Europa League knockout playoff tie on Thursday, however the outcome didn’t change their destiny as they ran off 5-3 winners on mixture, qualifying for the subsequent spherical.

Milan needed to wait till the ultimate few moments within the Europa League knockout attract Nyon on Friday, being left with a 50-50 between Slavia Praha and Bayer Leverkusen. They drew the previous, avoiding a tense showdown with Xabi Alonso’s high-flying aspect.

Talking in a press convention by way of TMW, Pioli first mentioned what sort of sport he expects in opposition to Atalanta.

“Tomorrow is essential for the league desk, to get again to successful methods after the defeat in Monza, it’s essential as a result of they proceed to attain factors beneath us. We, Inter and Atalanta are the groups that within the final 10 days have carried out extra factors.”

He was requested why Atalanta have been extra favoured than Milan within the Europa League.

“If you requested me that query we nonetheless needed to get by the earlier spherical, now we too are enjoying for it like Atalanta, Leverkusen, Liverpool… All of the groups wish to win the Europa League and so will we.”

He commented on the state of his squad.

“After the Europa League matches, we at all times have a press convention earlier than coaching so I can’t let you know something… As we speak we’ll do extra sure coaching exams.

“Kalulu is effectively, he’ll full the week of labor with the workforce. Tomori is best, however it’s a little additional behind than Kalulu. We’re recovering all of the personnel. Calabria is ok.”

The coach touched on find out how to shore up the workforce’s leaky defence.

“The distinction isn’t being unfold or tight, it’s the depth with which we apply strain to finest develop the defensive part.”

Pioli spoke in regards to the significance of Fikayo Tomori and Pierre Kalulu.

“They’re gamers who know our defensive rules, they’re quick, aggressive, who can do the defensive part effectively and arrange effectively. Since we can have so many commitments, it is rather vital to have as massive a squad as doable.”

He was requested how he felt in the course of the closing moments of the Europa League draw.

“Nothing, as a result of I wasn’t even too anxious about drawing Bayer Leverkusen… It depends upon us. Nevertheless it’s not a straightforward draw, Slavia received Roma‘s group, they’re enjoying for the title of their league. Future within the Europa League depends upon us and our efficiency.”

The Milan coach commented on how enjoying on Thursday adjustments issues.

“It makes a distinction with the Champions League on Tuesday or Wednesday, as with tomorrow’s match, Atalanta had a clear week. Tomorrow is a vital match for our league desk.”

He mentioned the expansion of Charles De Ketelaere at Atalanta.

“Gasperini is doing an unimaginable, distinctive job, we should congratulate him, he has had thrilling years and others much less productive.

“I bear in mind your ideas on De Ketelaere, when it was stated that he had high quality and that Maldini and Massara had not signed garbage.

“Many in Italy want a 12 months. Gasperini good at discovering a extra offensive place, then each atmosphere has its expectations and its historical past.”

Pioli spoke about Atalanta’s strengths on the pitch.

“I don’t assume Atalanta are solely robust on the counterattacks. We ought to be compact, aggressive. It’ll rely upon our attackers, on how aggressive they’re. We’ve got to harm Atalanta by making an attempt to attain a number of targets.”

He was requested why he turned over the squad in opposition to Monza.

“I hold telling you that we wish to be protagonists in each competitions. I consider we’ve got a powerful squad, I consider that the alternatives made in Monza have been the appropriate ones for the situation of the gamers.

“Higher lineup in Rennes? Giroud didn’t play, Loftus-Cheek didn’t he performed… Tomorrow I’ll discipline the perfect lineup primarily based on how the gamers are doing.”

He was additionally requested in regards to the busy schedule.

“It was proposed to me to play in opposition to Monza on Monday, however since we had two dwelling video games, we most well-liked to have an additional day for the return match in opposition to Rennes.

“It was proposed to play in opposition to Empoli on Monday, and we didn’t settle for, however I didn’t know that we might have performed at 3pm. The membership talks to whoever it wants to speak to and can proceed to take action within the acceptable locations.”

The Milan coach commented on the work of Mike Maignan.

“The miracles should not over. Mike stays among the finest on the earth. He’s an unimaginable skilled, he’s obsessive about changing into the perfect on the earth. He at all times comes out of any scenario improved. There are not any issues with him.”

Pioli mentioned what Samuel Chukwueze is lacking.

“Pulisic and Chukwueze have the identical traits, Pulisic scores targets, assists and works. Chukwueze has to attain targets, he has to attain assists and has to work.”

Lastly, Pioli spoke about how his Milan will face Atalanta.

“We’ve got to be robust in duels. Guardiola stated it effectively, going through Atalanta is like going to the dentist, it’s annoying.”