Stefano Pioli gave at the moment his first press convention of the pre-season because the Rossoneri are again at Milanello.

Immediately marked the primary day of the 2023/24 pre-season and Pioli and the Diavolo gamers, or not less than those who are usually not nonetheless on trip, returned to coaching at Milanello.

It was the primary day of the brand new Milan with out Paolo Maldini and Frederica Massara, however nonetheless with Pioli who is prepared to participate in his fifth season in Pink and Black.

The coach sat at his regular chair at the moment to take questions with the press:

Hiya Mister Pioli. What are your first sensations, first emotions of this primary day again to coaching? It all the time makes an impression, it’s all the time an necessary day…
“Nicely, it must be like this. I really feel good, I really feel excited, however this must be the best way. It’s good to see the gamers once more, it’s good to see our followers, the individuals who work right here at Milanello. However now it’s time to get again to work as a result of we’ve got to make clear our concepts, understanding what we’ve received, who we’ve received and what we are able to do.”

How has this month been for you? So much has modified, it’s a brand new Milan, new gamers, new aims… there’s rather a lot new about Milan. And there’s a kind of a brand new position for you, which is a Supervisor within the British sense, are you concerned in transfers as effectively?
“Nicely, I wish to thank Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara. It’s the longest working relationship I’ve had with administrators and I owe rather a lot to him. We had a great relationship, I revered them, however I used to be additionally near them, I appreciated them. However Milan determined to vary course. I’ve all the time felt a part of the plans, although; I don’t really feel my position has modified that a lot, I’ve all the time felt concerned in switch discussions. Now it’s Geoffrey [Moncada] and Giorgio [Furlani] I’m working with, and we are going to work collectively, all of us collaborate. I’ve all the time labored, I labored in the course of the month off as a result of I believe it’s necessary to work. And I’ve all the time labored arduous with new arrivals, I did previously with Mike Maignan and Olivier Giroud, making an attempt to get new folks concerned and making an attempt to get them used to my fashion. So I don’t suppose my position has modified that a lot, actually. We’ll share concepts, we’ll share ideas. I believe our switch market is all the time, effectively typically filled with surprises, however filled with concepts. It’s artistic.”

I wish to ask you about your new construction, your new position: do you’ve got a bit extra energy in decisions and within the switch market in respect to earlier years? Have you ever received extra energy? Can you’ve got extra of an impression, is it true or not?
“It’s not true, within the sense that even earlier than I used to be requested to present an thought, I used to be requested if I used to be taken with sure signings. I don’t conduct negotiations, I don’t make the financial strikes, however I’ve all the time been requested about gamers. I take part in that a part of the selection, the gamers for the group. I actually respect my gamers, I maintain them in a really excessive esteem. They’ve received a Scudetto, they’ve reached the semi-finals of the Champions League. However now it was time to make a number of modifications, we felt.”

Two issues: final 12 months you mentioned it was too tough to win the Scudetto as a result of the group was not fairly there, and then you definately mentioned that Sandro Tonali would enhance rather a lot, and also you mentioned Ismaël Bennacer will shock folks and also you had been right, and also you mentioned Rade Krunić too. Who do you suppose this season will shock everybody?
“While you coach a group like Milan you must give all the pieces and your aims need to be all the pieces. It’s a must to attempt to play to do in addition to potential, to win one thing. That is apparent. And your aims need to be to proceed to develop and enhance, and this might be our goal – to enhance the squad reasonably than to enhance gamers individually. It’s tough to answer the opposite query in regards to the participant who may shock you this 12 months as a result of we’re in the midst of the switch market, so I can’t say who would be the key participant or the participant of the season, so to talk.”

Speaking in regards to the switch market, every single day there’s something new. You’re taking part in in an necessary match in America. What sort of group could possibly be going to America?
“Nicely, the switch market ends on the thirty first of August, so I don’t suppose we could possibly be going to our American your with our full squad for subsequent season. However from now till the tip of July once we half for America, I anticipate a number of modifications.”

You mentioned your position hasn’t modified an excessive amount of, however there’s a unique environment on the membership. The followers are displaying religion, they’re outdoors of Milanello and they’re in good humor. Do you suppose the brand new construction would possibly simply make the expectations a bit increased?
“If the query is that if I really feel alone, then no… If I really feel remoted? I don’t. But additionally, the fortunes of the coach is all the time within the palms of the Membership. It is dependent upon what sort of work you do, what sort of outcomes you’re getting, it is dependent upon that. If the outcomes are going effectively, you’re good, and also you keep. And that’s the identical for everyone. I see all of the accountability given to me and I’ll do all the pieces I can to the most effective I can. And I hope we’ve got a really constructive season. Concerning our followers, they proceed to indicate they’re distinctive, they’re the most effective. We’ve all the time had a great relationship, a relationship of equals: we give all the pieces they usually give all the pieces. And we wish to proceed this fashion.”

Beforehand, you’ve been requested in regards to the division that would want extra work and growth. Maybe final 12 months, Milan didn’t have a alternative for Giroud. Would you be investigating that? The alternative for Giroud, so to talk…
“I don’t actually suppose it’s truthful to isolate or to say particular person gamers. There can be modifications, sure. We had Zlatan Ibrahimović as effectively, and we don’t have Ibra anymore. So it’s an goal sure, to attempt to discover a alternative for Giroud.”

You mentioned it’s time for a number of modifications. Had been you speaking about ways or gamers?
“I used to be speaking about each. First I used to be referring to the gamers, as a result of as I mentioned earlier than, that is my fifth season roughly, so due to this fact it’s regular that there can be modifications. I really feel like an architect who constructed a home which is stable, however there would possibly must be a number of modifications. Some components of the home must be refurnished, let’s say. As for ways, it’s the identical, however it’s a part of my work and my approach of working. I work with the employees, I work with the gamers and we search for options and maybe new positions for gamers. So much will rely upon what the brand new gamers deliver, it’d rely upon the traits of the brand new signings. And we would like high quality, clever gamers, after which we are able to attempt new issues.”

I had a have a look at the fixtures and I noticed 2 issues: the very first thing is that after 5 of the 6 matches of the Champions League, the subsequent match is at residence. That is what Rudi Garcia because the Roma supervisor mentioned about his group: no away journeys Europe. The second factor I observed is that in January, due to the African Cup of Nations – Napoli wouldn’t play Milan or Inter. There can be a 5 day break for a match for Milan…
“You’re being a bit controversial, aren’t you? You’re speaking about issues which are controversial. I wish to discuss this season with nice motivation and nice positivity and religion. That’s what we’ve all the time completed. The fixtures, the matches… in the end you must play everybody. Whether or not you’ve got a four-day break, or a three-day break between matches, or a five-day break. The season begins in 50 days, roughly. And in these 50 days we’ve got to work severely and work arduous. And if we work arduous and have a great preparation then we are able to play effectively.”

You modified a number of issues in midfield. The truth that you’re concentrating on overseas gamers and never Italian gamers for midfield – is that one thing that may be difficult for you?
“It’s not a alternative that we don’t need Italians. It’s not that we don’t need Italians. The market suggests potentialities, it provides you sure choices, and we would like gamers who can be adaptable, in a position to play our type of soccer, whether or not they’re Italian or overseas. We’re speaking about gamers who’re of an excellent degree, who don’t want an excessive amount of time to adapt as a result of the group has already received a great robust stable basis.”

I’d to ask you two questions in regards to the absence of Ibrahimović: will he be an enormous absence, is there a necessity for brand new leaders within the group? And who may maybe take his place? And in addition, do you in the future see Ibra as a Membership Supervisor or director sooner or later?
“Nicely sure, this group – due to Zlatan – grew rather a lot. However now we’ve got gamers who can take his place as leaders within the dressing room, not simply those you talked about but additionally Simon Kjær and Alessandro Florenzi. The group is much more mature than it was 3 years in the past. Even damaging moments made the group extra mature. However it is going to be a problem to switch Ibra’s management, it’s true. However we’ve got to be a profitable group even with out Zlatan. As for a Membership Supervisor, effectively, Zlatan is all the time welcome right here at Milanello. I’m not the one who will give him the membership and I don’t know. I spoke with him a bit a number of days in the past however I don’t know what he needs to do, I don’t know what his plans are for the subsequent a part of his life.”

Have you ever needed to reassure any of the gamers who had been very linked to Maldini? Did you must calm them down or did you must attempt to console them?
“Maldini and Massara had been essential folks on this journey, on this undertaking. Nevertheless it’s the Membership who provides continuity and the gamers who they play for, the gamers know who we’re. The gamers are all motivated to present their finest.”

Have you ever heard from the proprietor of the Membership, Gerry Cardinale?
“I spoke to him this morning and he despatched a message to the group. He despatched a message of excellent luck, he mentioned give your finest, he mentioned we’ll see one another quickly and he motivated us for the subsequent season.”

Tonali was bought… How did you are taking his departure?
“Clearly it’s a really large loss, when it comes to ability. And changing him can be tough. I believe the state of affairs on his departure suited all events: him, us and the group he joined.”

Speaking of Napoli, Inter, Juventus – everyone seems to be making a number of modifications… who do you can be the opponents who can be hardest for Milan this season?
“Nicely I believe it is going to be the standard opponents. You guys inform us who will win the Scudetto and who will end the place, you journalists do this: who would be the favorites, who will wrestle… that is what you journalists do. Nevertheless it doesn’t matter now. Nothing actually occurs that issues for the league desk till the twenty first of August. I believe it is going to be a really fiercely-competed league and we should use our qualities.”

How necessary would it not be to have a traditional season after the final season which was interrupted by the World Cup?
“It’s good to have these weeks firstly of the season the place we are able to work on issues and get ready. There can be fewer midweek matches this season which is a bonus.”

Have there been any modifications in your employees?
“Roma and Betti, from the goalkeeping coaches, have gone and shortly some new folks can be becoming a member of on this division.”

I think about that you just’ve spoken to Luka Romero and Ruben Loftus-Cheek about their ambitions. Have you ever spoken to Samuel Chukwueze and Tijjani Reijnders?
“Loftus-Cheek and Romero are very motivated and actually, actually glad to be right here. We anticipate rather a lot from them they usually anticipate rather a lot. They’re excited. It’s going to be good. A few of the finest traits you may seek for in gamers, and never simply ability, is motivation. Except for technical capability, you must discover motivated individuals who will give all the pieces, every single day. We’re in search of this type of gamers. I communicate a little bit of all languages, however badly. Individuals perceive me; I believe folks perceive me; I hope everybody understands me…”

What sort of midfielder are you in search of and how much proper winger are you in search of?
“I would like somebody on the fitting wing who can beat his man, who can do effectively in 1v1, who can dribble. As for central midfielders, I would like gamers with completely different traits who can complement one another: one who may maybe make runs, one who is usually a playmaker, one who can do a number of expertise, one who strikes round. It’s a system, it’s a system that may all the time transfer round and I desire a fluid midfield. We’ll see who’s on the market.”

Two years in the past, Milan did their switch enterprise very, very early: Giroud and Tomori. Final 12 months, Milan performed a number of last-minute switch offers. What’s going to it’s this 12 months? There have already been some early acquisitions? Do you like this and keep away from last-minute transfers?
“Nicely sure, it’s clear. I imply, whenever you play the league season with 2 matches earlier than the switch window closes, it’s not nice. It’s the identical for everyone. We received’t be full when the season begins, or once we go on tour – we received’t be full. However I believe we’ll have some signings.”

Pierre Kalulu arrived as a fullback, then he moved to central protection. Final season he struggled a bit. Do you contemplate him a proper again or a middle again? Or do you continue to want extra defenders?
“I believe you’re proper. We maybe confused him a bit by taking part in him fullback after which in central protection. I believe our protection is effectively stocked-up, until there are any developments. I believe it’s the realm the place we’ve got received probably the most gamers.”

They mentioned on the finish that your relationship with Maldini was a little bit bit strained, with one or two disagreements. And immediately after his exit there have been discussions that Maldini needed to sack you…
“I had an excellent relationship with Paolo, full of religion and respect. We had arguments, in fact, however extra within the Scudetto season. Nevertheless it’s regular, nothing uncommon for a director and a coach. In some conditions we weren’t on the identical path, however we by no means lacked respect. If a coach thinks about getting fired, he’ll in all probability find yourself getting fired. I’m relaxed, I by no means feared I’d be launched by the Membership. I do know the dangers of this job and you must settle for all the pieces can occur.”

Immediately is the primary begin of the season with out Silvio Berlusconi alive after 37 years. Berlusconi is historical past at Milanello, there are plenty of footage of him. How are you going by this case with out Silvio? And might you keep in mind the primary time you met him?
“I used to be on an airplane heading to the Maldives and I had heard the information that he’d died. I by no means met him, other than as soon as once I was taking part in for Verona and he got here into the dressing room. We drew 0-0. I used to be marking Ruud Gullit that day… I used to be very disillusioned and unhappy once I heard about his passing. I spoke with him a number of days earlier than, he liked Milan and you could possibly inform that from his voice, he completely liked Milan. And I noticed him within the evening of the Scudetto get together on the Piazza del Duomo. Milan have a misplaced a degree of reference, somebody who had a big impact within the historical past of the Membership. I spoke to Adriano Galliani and he was interested by a trophy devoted to Berlusconi and I’m certain Milan could be glad to be concerned in it if it happens.”

There are rumours of Franco Baresi, as Honorary Vice President of Milan, may be at Milanello extra typically and have extra involvement…
“I don’t know if that’s the case, I don’t know. Franco is already somebody who motivates us. Franco Baresi is Milan. His charisma, his persona, he’s 100% Milanista and it’d be good to have him round.”