AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli believes that his aspect will face a really harmful opponent in Stade Rennais, in a contest the place it’s crucial to be on the highest stage in each sport.
Milan come into the sport on run within the league, one thing which Sunday’s win over Napoli actually boosted, however they’re enjoying a crew that appear lots harder an opponent than they did on the time of the draw.
The Ligue 1 aspect had been languishing close to the underside of the desk earlier this season, with their Europa League commitments seeming to take an actual toll on their home kind, however they’re now seventh having gained each sport in 2024 thus far.
With the Rossoneri having the house leg first, there may be additionally some added stress to take a result in France forward of subsequent week’s return sport in Brittany.
Pioli spoke alongside defender Matteo Gabbia at a pre-match press convention on the eve of the sport towards Rennes which befell at Milanello, together with his feedback relayed by MilanNews.
The notion of the draw with Rennes has modified over time and with the type of the French crew…
“Matches at European stage are all the time troublesome. We’ve had lots of time to review them. A crew organised nicely on the pitch, quick, vertical, with high quality. A crew to be approached with nice care.”
What kind of competitors is that this Europa League?
“It’s a vital competitors. The Champions League is clearly a step above. If we have a look at who’s collaborating, it’s not simply Bayer Leverkusen, there’s additionally Liverpool and different vital groups.
“The truth that Milan have by no means gained the Europa League is an additional motivation, even when we will’t look that far forward. We’re getting there nicely, they’re getting there too. Tomorrow’s match is already vital.”
What do Milan want for this dream, and what stays from the Champions League group stage?
“The frustration of getting exited the Champions League actually stays from that night in Newcastle. However then afterwards we couldn’t assist however have an goal, we needed to put all our motivation into this competitors.
“We’ve been going for 4 years the place originally many people had been debutants in Europe. Now, nonetheless, we have now made the journey. In European competitions it’s important to be on the high on that night.
“The league is a case of whoever is essentially the most constant wins it, in Europe in that match it’s important to carry out at your greatest and that’s what we need to attempt to do tomorrow night time.”
What’s the significance of getting by way of this spherical, and which Italian crew can Rennes be in comparison with?
“It’s essential. We need to have ambitions, we need to get to the tip. We’re very targeted and I feel we have now ready it with the appropriate consideration.
“For a comparability with some Italian groups, imagine me that it’s too vital to play the match. I gave myself an concept, we had it, we spoke with Matteo who performed towards them. However solely after having confronted them on the pitch will I be capable to let you know the extent.
“An excellent crew, actually, the French league is totally different from the Italian one, very quick and with lots of method. He’s an opponent to face with nice consideration.”
Who’re the favourites to win the competitors and the place do you place Milan?
“I say that earlier than placing Milan in, let’s get by way of this spherical, then I’ll let you know the place we might be. Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool and Atalanta are the favourites.”
What ending do you think about to your Milan movie?
“Movies are sometimes judged on the standard of the second half, I hope that the standard of our half is of a excessive stage to make sure that it could turn into a really optimistic season.”
Your ideas on Brahim’s phrases?
“I communicate with Brahim, I additionally messaged him final night time however he hasn’t answered me but (laughs). A boy with whom all of us bought alongside very nicely, he gave lots to the crew and we tried to offer to him.
“An excellent boy, he scored an unbelievable purpose and I hope he wasn’t harm an excessive amount of by yesterday’s damage. I’m very happy that he’s doing nicely.”
Who’re Rennes’ most harmful gamers? “I made the error as soon as of claiming who essentially the most harmful gamers are after which they punished us, I gained’t even point out a reputation. However I do know all of the Rennes gamers, we have now a really clear concept. It’s a crew with good qualities and who performs good soccer.”
Can the actual fact of getting performed an awesome match towards PSG be begin?
“Tough. It was an awesome match towards PSG. I feel tomorrow can be a totally totally different match, Rennes’ manner of being on the pitch is totally different from that of PSG.”
How troublesome is it to make attacking decisions akin to maintaining Okafor out?
“It’s actually troublesome, everyone seems to be doing very nicely. We begin with 3 gamers, now Chukwu can also be again and he gained’t be referred to as up tomorrow however I hope he may be out there for the Monza match.
“It’s troublesome however on the identical time it’s simpler as a result of I can permit myself to make errors one thing as a result of then on the bench I’ve gamers who can change the sport.
“Now we’ll return to enjoying lots, I hope that we are going to play lots, from right here to the tip and due to this fact everybody can be busy. With these 5 video games in 15 days it’s troublesome to suppose that many can do the entire 90 minutes.”
On Sunday you stated you talked to his gamers about methods to repair the defensive part. What had been the their concepts?
“What Matteo stated earlier than is that we mentioned methods to strategy each single match and above all in deciding to what top we will carry a sure stress, once we need to carry it and the way.
“We focus on this lots, I’ve a really accountable crew that he is aware of the ideas of our defensive part. From sport to sport we determine collectively methods to develop it.”
This Milan’s path within the cup is just like that of 2007. What’s the significance of being in place within the league to goal for the Europa League?
“It’s not my evaluation. We’ve to take care and a spotlight in each competitions, as a result of we will proceed to do very nicely within the league. I don’t know the place we are going to arrive when it comes to rating however I do know the place we need to arrive when it comes to scores.
“There are 14 video games left, many factors out there. We additionally need to transfer ahead in Europe. It is going to be stimulating, not straightforward, however I’ll attempt to discipline the absolute best line-up each time.
“Possibly tomorrow won’t be the identical as final Sunday, however it’s the greatest for tomorrow. In Monza I’ll put the very best crew out additionally based mostly on tiredness and shifts.”