Pioli: ‘Every detail makes the difference in Champions League’
Milan coach Stefano Pioli says enthusiasm must make up for lack of experience but insists the Rossoneri must ‘raise their level’ when they face Atletico Madrid tomorrow.
Pioli’s side host the La Liga champions at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza tomorrow. It kicks off at 20.00 UK time.
The Rossoneri had a great start to their Serie A campaign with 16 points in six games.
However, they lost their opening Champions League fixture against Liverpool two weeks ago.
“We are making our own experiences. So far, we have been good at taking the opportunities to do something more,” Pioli said at a press conference.
“We are young, where we cannot go with experience, we must go with enthusiasm. That enthusiasm that our fans will give us tomorrow.”
Atletico Madrid are the last team Milan had faced in the Champions League in 2013-14. Now they travel to Milan as the Champions of Spain.
“They are very prepared, they have a great coach and great players who are ready to make the most of every mistake,” Pioli said.
“We will have to play a great match at a technical level and keep concentration throughout the match.
“Details are important, Liverpool punished us for every little mistake. We need to raise our level from every point of view,” the former Fiorentina boss continued.
“It’s an important game, but it’s not decisive.”
Six Milan players, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Simon Kjaer missed Milan’s trip to La Spezia on Sunday, how many of them can return to action tomorrow?
“For Kjaer and Florenzi, this afternoon and tomorrow’s training sessions will be crucial. For others, it is more difficult and I think it is likely that they will return to the field after the break,” the coach confirmed.
Does Pioli think about a long-term stay at Milan?
“In my mind, the relationship I created with the club, with my players and with the environment Milan has no deadline,” he ensured.
“We have the same ambitions, the same desire to get the most out of every game. But now we think about the game of tomorrow, which is very important and is to be faced with energy and enthusiasm, knowing that we’ll need a high-level performance.”