The Rossoneri head coach ahead of the big Champions League match in Paris: “We are ready, but it won’t be just Mbappé to contain…”
After the goalless-draws against Newcastle and Dortmund, Milan is getting ready to face Paris Saint-Germain. At the Parc des Princes, the Rossoneri are looking for an outstanding performance and a turning point in the Champions League. Stefano Pioli is keeping the tension high. “This double clash with PSG will be very important, and I hope it won’t be decisive yet because I believe and hope that this group will be decided on the last matchday,”
The Full Press Conference
How are the Pre-Match Feelings
“The feelings are those of the eve of a very important Champions League match. Unfortunately, we haven’t won the first two games. The double clash with PSG is very important, but not decisive, and I believe that this group will be decided on the last matchday.”
First Two Matches and PSG
“We’ve played two high-level Champions League games with pace, intensity, and energy. Then football is strange and unpredictable. It’s crazy not to have been able to score with all the chances created. Tomorrow, I don’t think we will have many opportunities, but perhaps we can score five goals with just four shots…
On Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique has transformed this team. I have a lot of respect for him as a coach and as a person. PSG used to rely on top players, but now they work more as a team with great champions. But we are Milan, and we want to play with our heads held high.“
Pobega and the Midfield for the Champions League
“He’s a midfielder with specific characteristics, and he found himself in the right place at the right time in the last two Champions League matches. If I think his characteristics will be more needed tomorrow, he will start.”
Luis Enrique’s PSG Formation
“Luis Enrique still plays with four offensive players, so it could be risky to wait for them . The important thing is to play as a team, with the same idea, at the right times, knowing that, once we’ve passed the initial pressure, we could be dangerous.”
Giroud
“He’s a great player and a man of great stature who has helped the team grow with his example, professionalism, goals, and daily work in training.”
Mbappé and Leao
“Mbappé is spectacular, always choosing the right timing and with great technical quality. Whoever plays on his side must be very careful and try to anticipate his movements. We need to try to disrupt him as much as possible. Will Leao or Giroud score? I hope someone scores, it doesn’t matter who.”
Okafor and Loftus-Cheek
“They are not available, so they will not be with us. But we have players who can replace them. Okafor will definitely need to recover for Napoli. Loftus-Cheek is feeling a bit better, but I don’t know if he will be available for Napoli. We might have to make some changes.”
Few Goals in the last matches
“We need to score given the chances that we are creating, especially in the Champions League. We need to make the most of the first or second chance that comes our way at this level. Perhaps also take advantage of the opponents’ mistakes.”
Leao and Pulisic not shooting much?
“They need to seek the goal more. The problem is that sometimes we don’t have enough players around them to avoid double marking. With Juve, the midfielders were too deep, but that’s another story. Tomorrow will be a different game due to the setup of our opponents.”
Donnarumma
“I saw Gigio with the National Team, and I hugged him. We exchange messages from time to time. He’s a guy who gave his all with us until the last day for us, and tomorrow we will greet him.”
Newcastle-PSG
“I watched Newcastle-PSG, and I think that if they played again, the result would hardly be the same as it was. Football is unpredictable, but yes, we watched it and took some ideas.”
