Stefano Pioli warns Napoli are ‘one of the best sides in Serie A,’ but Milan never lost faith in themselves, while the coach also explains Franck Kessie’s development.
It kicks off at San Siro on Sunday at 19.45 GMT.
This is another huge test for the Rossoneri, who continue to churn out results despite an injury crisis, including a win away to Hellas Verona and Thursday’s 1-1 Europa League draw with Manchester United.
Stefano Pioli warns Napoli are ‘one of the best sides in Serie A,’ but Milan never lost faith in themselves, while the coach also explains Franck Kessie’s development.
It kicks off at San Siro on Sunday at 19.45 GMT.
This is another huge test for the Rossoneri, who continue to churn out results despite an injury crisis, including a win away to Hellas Verona and Thursday’s 1-1 Europa League draw with Manchester United.
“Napoli play good football, they have quality and are a united team. It’s a complicated game, because Napoli are one of the best sides in Serie A,” said Pioli in his press conference.
“We only really took our foot off the gas against Spezia, but we never lacked determination in the other matches. I train a group of players who are very responsible, have quality and can always be counted on.
“If we play as a team and collaborate, we can become stronger. Hard work and belief in our abilities are the recipe for success here. A slip-up cannot allow us to forget the team that was the surprise of 2020. We just needed to review some situations and be more solid.
“There was so much talk about negativity, but we never felt that here. We never lost faith in ourselves.”
Milan have fallen six points behind Serie A leaders Inter, seven if we include the issue of head-to-head record, but Pioli brushes off questions about the Scudetto.
“We have to concentrate on tomorrow’s fixture and take it one game at a time. This is an important opportunity against a strong opponent who always caused us problems.
“Intensity is the most important thing, but it’s in terms of mentality even more than physically. We have to play with tempo, on and off the ball. We have to move it quickly, make the opposition chase shadows.
“If we want to aim for the top, we need to improve our home results.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still out of action, although he is reportedly aiming to return for the second leg of the Europa League fixture with Manchester United.
“Ibra is our shining light, but Milan depend only on our style of football. There are many leaders here, because we have a precise identity and way of playing,” assured Pioli.
“Rafael Leao has improved in terms of consistency, including during 90 minutes. I expect a lot from him, he is working hard for the team, though at times he wastes energy starting a sprint when his teammates can’t find him. His goals will come.”
With Ismael Bennacer out, Soualiho Meite impressed in midfield at Old Trafford.
“He arrived with a completely different style of football to ours, so at the start he played at a much lower tempo to his teammates. He’s stepped it up and put in some very positive performances. Sandro Tonali has recovered too, so I think he can play tomorrow.”
The undoubted Man of the Match against Manchester United was Kessie, even though his fantastic goal was disallowed for handball.
“Franck deserves all the credit, as he worked hard every day. He is mentally very strong, always ready to help his teammates, to do and say the right thing.
“He has to quality to play in any role and at the end of the game, I moved him up to be a trequartista. He is truly becoming a very important player.
“I did that because Brahim Diaz was tired and we wanted to keep forcing Manchester defenders to play under pressure, so he was an imposing figure in that area of the pitch.”