Pioli: “I think it will be an intense game in Bergamo, it is difficult to picture De Ketelaere starting on the right, the mercato? If there is the right chance…”

Stefano Pioli has spoken ahead of tomorrow’s Atalanta, expecting a similar game to last season and discussing the mercato.

After beating Udinese 4-2 on the opening Matchday, Milan have a very difficult match coming up tomorrow as they face Atalanta of Gian Piero Gasperini at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia (20:45 CEST).

Today, coach Pioli held a press conference at Milanello, where he answered the various questions of the journalists, from Mauro Suma, through Sky and Milannews.it, and even questions from Twitch:

Against Udinese we saw consistency, will we see the same thing in Bergamo?
“We know how it went last season and it has created a wealth of experience that we are carrying forward with enthusiasm and awareness. We are in the second Matchday, from next week on there will be the first tour de force. We’ve prepared well for the match, Atalanta is a very strong team and we know them well. They play positive and attacking football. We are ready to show our way of playing on the field.

Against Atalanta there’s always something iconic. What does it represent now?
“Our next match will serve as a step to surely grow more, it will help to determine our level of performance. Every game generally gives us hints on areas to work on or those in which things are at a good point so surely tomorrow’s game will be an important test because as I’ve said, Atalanta started off their season well. Yes, they may have changed some players, but their structure remains the same. Zapata is back to full fitness, and Atalanta combine organization, intensity, physicality and quality especially upfront, therefore it’s obviously an important test for us. They are our direct rivals because I believe we are the only team to face another squad to have won their first game of the season so it will surely be an important matchup. We indeed face them early on in the season but it is surely a crucial game to be faced in the best manner possible.”

What can Tonali turn into?
“A complete midfielder. He needs experience in situations to interpret. I found again a guy with great humility and desire to work. He knows he has to continue on this path, he has to be ambitious because he has great potential. But he has to maintain this desire, hunger and this feeling of being so Milanista. When you play with passion you can give something more.”

Do you expect a different match than last year?
“No, a similar one. Two teams who know each other well face each other, teams who play proactive and attacking football. Then it’s obvious that every game is different. In Bergamo, a year ago, we were lucky enough to take the lead right away and the game changed. I think it will be an intense game in a nice environment, their stadium is very hot, it’ll be a beautiful game to play.”

Do you feel you are the favorites for the title?
“I know I have a strong squad, stronger and more aware than last year. We have to be a team that is interchangeable. Tomorrow is the end of the first 2 normal weeks. We are strong, we all have to feel important here, but no one is indispensable. What is indispensable is the soul of Milan, the mentality and work. Favorites? There are 7-8 strong teams. It’s a very balanced league. We go one match at a time. We have to continue on our path, thinking about the next game and working to become more and more competitive.”

How important is it to have re-found Rebić and have competition in the squad?
“If you want to play for Milan you have to accept a lot of competition with your teammates. My players have to work their hardest to make my choices harder when deciding how should start the next match. I already know it won’t be easy to choose who to start tomorrow because many of my players would deserve to start the game, but choices will have to be made to start the best team possible and then have many options to be able to change things around during the game. We have a lot of options, especially in attack with Origi feeling better and the fact that he has accumulated more weeks of training with us. We also have Adli, Saelemaekers and many other options, including Giroud who feels better compared to last week, therefore we have many options available to change our style of play to remain dangerous for our opponents.”

Do you still expect something from the mercato?
“As far as the mercato is concerned, we have the will – if there is the right opportunity – to improve certain things. The squad is strong, luckily Kjær is approaching 100%. I repeat, if we find any opportunity to improve then we’ll take it, otherwise the squad is competitive like this.”

Will whoever wins the Scudetto have to get more points against the big ones?
“It will be such a balanced league that it will be difficult to get as many points as last year. Difficulties will come for everyone, even with teams you don’t expect. Whoever is the most consistent in terms of results and performance will win. You have to play with intensity and quality. Direct clashes are important, and last year we won precisely because we got so many points against the big teams.”

Where can De Ketelaere play? Can he also play on the right?
“He has done very well in all three positions in the trequartisti zone, but he starts as a trequartista of a second striker, not as a winger. It’s difficult to picture him on the right, and if Charles is a trequartista then he’ll play there. His flexibility can be an advantage, he is aware of that, he is a very intelligent guy who is learning the language and is showing his application.”

When Pobega gets better, can he bring physicality to midfield?
“He must. He has important characteristics. He is a player we are betting on. He is recovering, he had a small problem that made him miss training and pre-season but he is ready to help the team.”

Against Udinese you worked a lot through the right: was it a coincidence? Also, is everyone available but Ibrahimović?
“It was a situation dictated more by Udinese and it’s a testimony to the fact that we are a mature team and tomorrow it will also be important to read the game. Running a lot when in possession of the ball is not a good solution, tomorrow we have to move a lot. As for the available players, the only player who is not available is Krunić who picked up a muscle injury yesterday so we have to determine how serious it is.”

What does Messias give you more or, and what does Saelemaekers give you more of?
“Messias can be better at giving us width while Alexis can be better in going between the lines. It depends on what we need and they are two high-performing guys, both ready to play.”

With the return of Tonali, what position will Bennacer assume?
“Bennacer is growing a lot, he is a strong and complete player who combines quantity and quality. His position on the pitch depends on how many players we want to build with and on the attitude of the opponent. By now both he and Sandro can read these things.”

Isn’t there something missing in terms of numbers in midfield? How is Bakayoko?
“In terms of numbers nothing is missing. Today there are 5 players there. Krunić, last year, was our wild card. He will not play in the trequartisti area this year. He is, to all intents and purposes, a midfielder. Bakayoko is fine, he is better.”

What personal challenge do you want to win against yourself?
“Our process is of growth that develops reciprocally, therefore, let’s try to work well together to grow more. i believe the players as well as me can still do more. I feel… I wasn’t born in Milan professionally but I feel at home here and it makes me feel younger. I feel younger and more determined to continue working with enthusiasm and great desire to reach maximum level. We still don’t know where it will lead us to win again but surely to achieve more.”

Is it better to focus on a more physical or a more technical team?
“Tomorrow we will need everything. Especially quality, which is what wins you games. But we must have intensity, mentality and compactness.”

How are you experiencing these first matches as Campione d’Italia?
“We don’t think about it. We think about preparing for matches as best as we can. We are focused on the team. Great concentration and a very good preparation. This is why the team is doing well.”