Milan, the first day of school takes place … in the gym

From our correspondent Marco Pasotto

July 8
– Milanello (Varese)

Stefano Pioli a few hours ago, before the press conference at the start of the season, confessed that he had taken too many holidays. He spent very relaxed between bikes and reading. “I was trembling with the desire to leave”, smiled the technician, who, however, probably would have gladly postponed the start of work for another day. Around 5 pm, just as the team was about to go out on the pitch, a violent storm hit Milanello which in practice made the night fall on the Rossoneri sports center and made the first seasonal kick in the open air impossible. So, a fallback solution: Milan 2021-22 spent the first day of school in the gym. An obligatory solution that has messed up the work plans envisaged by Pioli. Final match included: a great classic of the first day of work.

Changes

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The Rossoneri coach arrived at Milanello first this morning, followed by his staff and players. Nineteen men are currently at his disposal for a squad that will obviously undergo profound changes. Among those present also Ibra, who will carry out personalized work in the coming days, and Tonali, whose final purchase was made official today (contract until 2026). The session in the gym was characterized by exercises with the ball and others of an athletic nature: treadmill, medicine ball, exercise bike. All after a motivational speech by Pioli, who gathered the team in a circle before training. Paolo Maldini, present at the pitch, instead spoke to Milan TV: “Last year was a very positive year made up of great results and many confirmations. A certain stability has been gained at a club and sporting level. Having a young team, the goal is to improve performance and gain stability, which can be an advantage over teams that are changing. The Champions? The emotions it gives are something higher. There we will evaluate the strength of some players and boys young people. Among other things, we hope to play in front of a large audience because this has greatly influenced the growth but also the lack of growth of some players “.

Checks

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As for players struggling with physical problems, Ibra will do a separate job. As Pioli said, it will still take a couple of weeks to see him go back to racing. Calabria (who had an inguinal hernia operation in May), who had a checkup yesterday, will also carry out personalized work and should join the group shortly. Instead, he will work immediately with the other Bennacers, who had been operated on his foot at the end of the championship. The program includes morning sessions until Sunday, then Monday of freedom and from next week some double sessions will begin to enter the menu. First friendly match, at Milanello (closed doors), on July 17 against an opponent of a lower category. At the moment the only official match is that with Nice at the Allianz Riviera on 31 July. The team these days will not close in a real retreat: in the evening the players will be free to go home.