The Rossoneri coach ahead of the match against Udinese at the Bluenergy Stadium: “I consider Adli a new signing”
“I like playing hide and seek.” In the days in which Allegri’s words “Let’s be cops and robbers with Inter” are being discussed, Stefano also Pegs, technician of Milan, wanted to have his say. On the eve of the match in Udine where the Rossoneri are looking for their fourth consecutive success in Serie A, the Parma coach focused on the transfer market “A midfielder can arrive in addition to the defender” and on some singles: “Adli as a new acquisition, Lion he scores less but remains crucial for our offensive maneuver.” And finally: “We don’t look at the standings We’re just thinking about doing better than in the first half of the season.”
THE PIOLI PRESS CONFERENCE
Milan haven’t won in Udine since 2020: what chords have they touched in recent days?
“The past with them doesn’t matter, they have changed like us. They are fine and we will try to outdo each other. We must have the clarity to always perform, we must have a high-level return round that is better than the first leg”
What period is Adli experiencing?
“His mind hasn’t changed, he has always been very participative and professional. What has changed is that by changing some positions on the pitch there was room for him on the pitch compared to last season. The latest performances have been of a high level on par of his teammates. He should be considered a new acquisition. A slow fake similar to Redondo? Speed is not his best characteristic, but the difference is made entirely by his attitude. He is our best ball recoverer (with Roma, ed. ): it is an important aspect in his current role. It is difficult to make comparisons”
Must Milan find more continuity away from home?
“You need to play to the best of your ability. There are no cartel or provincial matches. Tomorrow we have to go home with full loot”
The market?
“We need a defender, the club is working. The objectives in the transfer phase have not changed at all after the latest releases”
Leao: why do you shoot so little on target? There is a problem?
“He can improve in precision but we are the second attack in the league. Even if he isn’t incisive, he frees up space for us. Now we manage the ball more and he also has less space since we work less on the counterattack. We have more possession than last season. But he remains decisive for us in the offensive phase”
With Roma you conceded many shots on goal: does having two midfielders more dedicated to the attacking phase matter?
“We need teamwork, with Roma Adli and Reijnders did a great job. The only mistake was on the occasion of the penalty scored by Pellegrini. We need to communicate and all work together: this is the aspect that matters most”
When will long-term patients like Tomori return?
“We will talk about it at the end of the month to understand the returns of Kalulu, Pobega, Thiaw and the English central defender himself. We will discuss this with the medical staff also in view of the UEFA list to be compiled”
What is the objective now in Serie A?
“We look at our ranking, we want to improve and do better than the first round. In 3-4 months we will have our eyes on the ranking, not now. Having clean weeks allows us to work better individually. Recovering the ball is important, we can work better in re-attacks. Tomorrow we will need to work a lot on this aspect to get the better of Udinese”
What characteristics should the defender you are looking for have?
“He must be complete in everything, not just one. In midfield? If there is the possibility something could be done, but it will depend on the possibilities that exist”
Are you considering loaning out some young players like Pellegrino or Romero?
“We are evaluating what to do, Pellegrino will finish his recovery by playing in the Primavera. Then we’ll see”
On Kjaer’s great numbers
“He is a technical leader, he often repeats these numbers to me, so I know them very well (laughs, ed.). On the pitch he speaks well and knows how to take a position. Now it is too early to talk about his future, as well as mine and that of others ”
There are those who talk about cops and robbers: what do you take sides?
“I like to play hide and seek and then make everyone free”