Pioli doesn’t think about his final days as Milan coach and makes Champions League claim

Milan coach Stefano Pioli insists he does not think about his final days in charge of the Rossoneri and feels the club must take a ‘further step forward’ to win the Champions League in the future.

Pioli spoke at a press conference on Friday on the eve of a Serie A match against Torino. It will be the Rossoneri’s final away game of the season and probably Pioli’s penultimate match in charge of the Serie A giants.

“It’s been a good week because we hadn’t won for a while. We are more serene, and I think this will help us tomorrow, so I expect a high-level performance,” said the Italian coach, as quoted by Milannews.

La Gazzetta dello Sport has reported that Rafael Leao will start on the bench tomorrow and Pioli said Theo Hernandez may not be available at all.

“Theo didn’t train today because of the flu, so I’ll see if he can recover in time. If I can, I’ll involve all players in the last two games,” he said.

The Parma-born coach was asked if he ever thinks that these could be his final days at Milanello.

Pioli doesn’t think about his final days as Milan coach

“For Giroud and Kjaer?” he first replied smiling, but he looked more serious when he continued.

“I try not to think about it, but of course, I’ll meet the club at the end of the season, and we’ll make our assessments and decide on the future. Until then, I’ll try to be focused and help the team and I may know certain emotions only by living them.

“I’ve always been on good terms with the club and it will be as such until the end. Everyone will make their own decision.

“Be patient,” he continued.

“You’ve been waiting until now, annoying me by talking about the future; now you just need to wait for one more week.”

What does he expect for the future of this team?

“You should not ask me this question,” Pioli replied.

“Giroud will start his final match, but not tomorrow. I hope he can reach 50 goals [with Milan]. The bond I’ve built with footballers is really deep and goes beyond what we’ve done or not done. I can only be grateful and happy. I do this work for the emotions and I’ve been thrilled until now, regardless of results, criticism, glory and benefits. For this reason, I’ll always be grateful to my footballers.”

Olivier Giroud has confirmed that he’ll leave at the end of the season.

“He, Kjaer and Ibrahimovic have been very important to us and their teammates, but in the the meantime, our players have grown and must take responsibility,” said Pioli.

“We won a title because everyone gave their all. I could say so many things, but that season, we accomplished something extraordinary; everyone went beyond their potential. There was something special between us and we were rewarded with a great triumph. Giroud was crucial in the growth of that team. I am entirely tied to him, Kjaer and Zlatan.”

Where can Milan players improve?

“New players have important qualities and can do even more. Surely they will do more,” Pioli ensured.

“We’ve had highs and lows, but not because they lacked commitment. This is why I want to reward everyone in the last two matches because I can only be grateful to this group.”

Pioli makes Milan Champions League claim

Milan won the Champions League in a Final against Barcelona 30 years ago, can the Rossoneri become European champions again in the next few years?

“It’s hard, but I think Milan can make it, even if the level is really high,” argued Pioli.

“Borussia Dortmund are 25 points below Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, yet they’ve reached the Champions League Final even if Real Madrid are favourite. We must take a further step forward.”

Does Pioli have any regrets about games against Roma in the Europa League?

“There are always regrets, but the team gave their all. However, the team did not fulfil their potential in those two games,” he said.

What’s his take on Allegri’s situation at Juventus?

“It’s always hard to judge from afar. Allegri has won a lot, he’s a great coach. We know that in this role, we have to manage certain kinds of expectations and pressures. All things in our environment are exaggerated, whether it is compliment or criticism.”

Lastly, Pioli refused to rate the Milan campaign, saying, “Surely, results in the league were better [than in the previous campaign], but in Europe were worse.”