MILAN, ITALY - JANUARY 12: Stefano Pioli, Head Coach of A.C. Milan gives their team instructions during the Coppa Italia match between AC Milan and Torino FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 12, 2021 in Milan, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Pioli on Atletico Madrid Clash: “It Is Important but Not Yet Decisive”

Milan coach Stefano Pioli previewed the Atletico Madrid game today: “We are gaining experience, and we have been able in exploiting every situation in that regard during our current path. We are young, but that can give us some advantages too. We can make up for what we are missing with ideas, energy, and enthusiasm, like the one of the San Siro crowd.”

“I disagree that Atletico Madrid are slumping. They remained undefeated up until last Saturday, and they are still in the top positions in La Liga. They are very strong, with a superb coach and elite players. We have to be focused for the whole 90 minutes.”

Pioli continued: “We have already seen that the level is very high in Champions League. Small details make all the difference. We conceded due to small lapses or technical mistakes. We have to raise the bar and play simply and fast, making the correct reads. Moreover, we have faced teams that are accustomed to these stages. We will treasure what happened against Liverpool. The clash with Atletico Madrid will be important, but I do not think it is decisive yet. Surely we want to remove the zero from our standing.”

“Olivier Giroud is not 100 percent because he missed two weeks of practice, but the minutes he played against Spezia were helpful. His conditioning is bound to improve. Simon Kjaer and Alessandro Florenzi will be assessed today and tomorrow. We will see whether they will be available. The others, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, will probably return after the break.”

Pioli has only a few months left on his contract: “In my head, the relationship with Milan does not have an expiration date. We share the same ambition and desire to get the best out of every single game.”