Pioli urges Milan to show their best against Verona

are in desperate need of getting those three points as they get ready to face

in order to further close the gap to the Scudetto.

won the battle against Empoli 4-2 yesterday, meaning they are sitting one point above Stefano Pioli’s side, which puts a lot of pressure on the Rossoneri.

The Milan boss talked in a press conference today before the game against Verona tomorrow and discussed the matter.

“It will be nice to face a game with so many Milan fans, because they are giving us energy, passion and enthusiasm that we would like to be able to bring to the pitch tomorrow night as well.”

He then talked about the influence of playing after Inter and how Milan’s week went by.

“It’s been the same as the previous ones. We’re now at a point where all the games have had and will have a bearing on the final objective. I saw great attention and motivation.

“We know that Verona can create difficulties for us, but the difficulties we’ve faced recently and elsewhere have made us grow. It’s time to show that we’re not only good, but that we can be the. best.”

Pioli also commented on how his side meet the back of the net in the final minutes of a game.

“It’s our attitude. Us and Verona score a lot even at the start of the game, the approach to the match will be important, even if the game is long. As always, we’ll try to change characteristics as the game progresses with substitutions.

“The step is always the same: we want to try to dominate the games, so we have to be a team from start to finish. We have the Champions League semi-final in our minds, which Real won with their heart, spirit and mentality, you have to play every game to the max.”

The Milan manager talked about Zlatan Ibrahimovic and how he can impact the game.

“We know how important he is for us. He’s doing everything to help us out.”

He refused to discuss the notion that Milan and Inter’s mentalities were different.

“It’s not the moment. Now we need seven points to do something extraordinary and to show that we are the best in this league. We have to play as Milan, then if we win 1-0 or with a few more goals the important thing is to be a team and play with emotion.”

Pioli also shared his comments on whether he was “all in” on Rossoneri’s chances.

“The bookmakers predicted we’d be underdogs. I’m betting that the team will give their best tomorrow.”

The tactician admitted that he did not watch Inter’s victory over Empoli.

“I watched our training session again and then a great tennis match. Fenomeno Alcaraz.”

He then talked about Hellas Verona’s Igor Tudor.

“They will be as fierce as Cagliari. They will try to do everything to beat us. We will try to do that too.

“Verona’s offensive department is very dangerous, we should be very good at being very compact and focused in defence, and then recover the ball and put them in trouble.”

Pioli thinks that all the games left to play are tough.

“Yes, it’s the most difficult game because it’s tomorrow, then next week I’ll say the same thing. We expect a very motivated and determined opponent.”

The Milan coach then discuss how the team has mentally grown in the last two years.

“The attitude is… I see them always on the ball, alert and motivated. They are handling these emotions well. We come from a journey of two years, of successes and disappointments. Now we’re more ready.”

He shared his thoughts on Carlo Ancelotti, who grabbed La Liga with Real Madrid in the 2021-22 season already and is now going against Liverpool in the Champions League final.

“Legend. He is top in everything. I barely know him, but I think he has a fantastic ability to get into the heads and hearts of the players, it’s the best characteristic a coach can have.”

Pioli also believes his side’s mental strength at this stage of the season is admirable.

“I don’t see my players anxious and worried, I see them motivated. A comma can make the difference. We are focused, anxious and not frantic.

“There has been exceptional growth. I thought I had to be here at Milanello to calm them down, but in reality no, they are always serene and smiling, happy to be here.”

He went on to reveal why his side’s harmony is so good.

“It’s those chemistries that come about within a squad because of the way we work and the environment that is giving us incredible emotions.”

“We have always set out our penalty taker list, then the players might change that.”

Pioli refused to think about a possible officiating error.

“Everything that depends on Milan we can control. Then there are those who make other choices and we will respect them.”

He thinks Milan are struggling when it comes to closing out games comfortably.

“In terms of mentality we’ll look for the goal. There was no lack of balance against Fiorentina, even though we had three pure strikers. The balance must always be maintained, then if we need to change something up front.”

When asked about what fires up his side, he did not want to give an answer.

“Yes, there is, but we don’t want to reveal it. It’s not the time.”

He also talked about the fitness coaches.

“They know very well what I think of our work, I’m responsible, they propose and then I decide. Too many times we give importance to the physical part and less to the technical-tactical one. We’ve never had any peaks in either direction.”

At the end, he commented on the squad’s mental state before the battle against Verona tomorrow.

“Everyone lives today according to their own habits. Some talk too much, others less. Then I see concentration and motivation.”

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