Pioli admits Milan need ‘quality’ signings and brands Adli as ‘very interesting’ | OneFootball

Stefano Pioli spoke to the media after the first training session of the pre-season was completed at Milanello earlier today. The manager is optimistic about the upcoming season but knows that hard work awaits.

Milan are keen on defending the Scudetto this upcoming season and will have to work very hard during the pre-season, especially since the season will start earlier than usual (August 13). This is something that Pioli is very aware of.

Speaking to the reporters present at Milanello, the manager asked questions about various topics. Among other things, he was asked about the mercato which is always a hot topic at this time of year.

How did the team look? Do you want to keep everyone?

“It was one of our secrets. Our strength is that we have always believed in all players. We will always have to question ourselves to keep growing. None of my players have reached their maximum potential, so we can and must still grow.”

Was it a nice summer?

“It was exciting both because I was with my family and then I met many Rossoneri fans.”

What do you expect from the market? What profiles are you looking for?

“We need quality players who are functional to our way of playing. This team can still improve a lot, we are more aware of our qualities, but we must further increase our strength. We are Milan and we must fight to win.”

What does the team need to improve?

“We have ideas. Now we have to evaluate every situation well. Pobega is back and he had a great season, he can give us a very important physicality in the middle of the field. Adli has arrived and he’s very interesting.”

What group did you see?

“I found a very aware and very mature group; we have not stopped talking to each other during the vacation. The recipe is to continue working day by day. The levels are raised, expectations and pressures are raised also because we have won and we want to continue to win.”

Will Ibrahimovic be part of the new Milan?

“I also spoke with him this morning. He is fine, he is recovering. I hope to be able to work with him again because he is a true champion.”

What do you expect from Leao?

“He can do even more, but it is normal for him to be like that because he is young. This year he reached double figures, but he can be even more incisive. For the qualities he has, he can do it.”

What are your goals in Europe?

“Last year’s experience has served us a lot. We cannot think of winning it [Champions League], there are rivals who can spend money that we cannot spend. But I’m sure we have grown a lot.”

Do you like Dybala and De Ketelaere?

“They are two different profiles. I have great directors behind me who will make the right decisions.”

How did you experience the renewals of Maldini and Massara?

“I lived it with great serenity. We continued to work together every day. If we have achieved certain results, the merit is thanks to the compactness we have had.”

Could Pobega be this year’s Tonali (breakthrough)?

“I hope so. He has grown a lot. He has good characteristics, he can do well with us.”

What did you make of Adli?

“Adli is very interesting, he is good at disposing of his opponent and vertical passing. We still need to understand in what position he can be exploited, but he is an intelligent guy and these first few weeks will help me to understand where to make the most of him. He is a very dynamic player.”

Would Dybala work your football?

“All good players willing to play as a part of a team are useful for Milan.”

What about the farewells of Romagnoli and Kessie?

“I send a warm hug to both of them, I wish them the best in their respective career. How to replace them? First, we evaluate who is already there, then we will see what to do eventually.”

Are you lagging behind the others?

“I’m sure we will be ready on August 13th. Then as a coach, if they tell me that tomorrow we will be full I would be happy, but I know it won’t be like that. From July 15th I will have a strong team to train and on July 15, I would be able to field a strong team in the league.”

Is a change of formation and a move to the three-man defence possible?

“Kjaer’s return is important, I missed him a lot on and off the pitch. I’m happy he is back, he will need some time but he is fine. Three-man defence? The three-man defence, given the characteristics we have, can be a good solution and we will try to develop it with some attention.”

What kind of profile would you like in defence?

“Tomori is a right-footed player who can play on the left, the foot is not a determining feature. Let’s see, we will evaluate what we have and then there will be a way and time to intervene.”

When is Ibrahimovic back?

“He is negotiating the new agreement. I hope to have him as soon as possible.”

Who will be Milan’s rivals?

“There are 5-6 teams that can fight for the Scudetto. It will be important to keep the spirit and the desire to work and grow, always putting the team as a point of reference and not the individual.”

What do you think of Milan’s calendar?

“There are never easy games. The level in Italy is high. All opponents must be faced with great attention. I have always told the boys that everyone is preparing to win, but whoever prepares better has a better chance of winning.”

Could Ziyech be the right profile?

“I don’t know (laughs). Messias had a good season. The management will do their best.”

Who would you bet on?

“Bennacer, I believe a lot in him because I know he can really give a lot.”

It remains to be seen what kind of reinforcements Piolio will get from Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara, who are hard at work now that they have been renewed. To compete for the title, as Pioli highlighted, quality will be needed.