PIOLI: "IMPORTANT TO WIN AT EMPOLI"

Empoli v AC Milan rounds off the first half of our 2023/24 Serie A campaign. 2024's opening league fixture, coming on the back of the Coppa Italia home victory, brings with it lots of interesting points in question. Here's what Coach Pioli had to say in his press conference from Milanello on the eve of the game:

THE WEEK BEGINS
"It is definitely a big week with two league games and the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, we are focused on the clash with Empoli. We want to do well in the league, we can win points but we have to perform well on the pitch. If we manage to pick up winning performances for a longer period, we will have overcome the momentary difficulties".

RESOURCES IN ATTACK
"Okafor will be available from the game against Roma and he will complete our roster, we have various personalities and resources up front. The directors are working in the market and they will be ready should any opportunities present themselves".

CAGLIARI, ATALANTA AND THE COPPA ITALIA
"Choices have been made given the aim of starting a balanced XI. The Coppa Italia gave some very young players a chance, they debuted because they have the quality to play with us, not out of necessity. We are fully focused on Empoli, after which we will have two days to work out what choices to make against Atalanta".

IBRA'S PRESENCE
"He has passed a lot on to the team as a player, he can still give us a lot regarding the game, knowledge, and experience. He is definitely an extra help".

AWAY FORM
"We made some errors that have stopped us from winning games when we could have done. We are working on resolving them. This is one of the elements that has punished us thus far, we clearly need to do better in the second half of the season".

THE AIMS AT EMPOLI
"Winning. That's the only thing that matters. Bringing home three important points means that you have put things back together. Winning because you deserve to having done more than the opposition".

CHUKWUEZE AND THE AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS
"He is one of the new arrivals that has struggled to integrate into our side and has lacked some consistency, also due to injury. I want more from him and I am totally convinced of his quality, he will show it on his return from the African Cup of Nations".

DUALITY UP FRONT
"I am lucky to have two centre-forwards like Olivier and Luka, formation choices are never definitive because games can also be decided by coming on from the bench. My hope is that both of them will keep playing like this, remaining two key elements of the offensive line". 

THEO'S ROLE
"We're talking about an extremely good player, above all intelligent. He uses his technical and tactical skills to do well in ever position. He can play all over but he needs some more time before finding a fixed position and having an idea about the future".

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