Stefano Pioli warns Europa League opponents Celtic that Milan ‘worked hard to get into Europe and now we want to stay there.’

They already played three preliminary rounds, but the group phase begins tomorrow evening in Glasgow.

“We worked hard to get back into Europe and now we want to stay there,” Pioli told Milan TV.

“The Europa League is an important competition, we have a very balanced and competitive group, so we are eager to start strong.

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AZ Alkmaar coach Arne Slot insists he ‘can’t complain’ after travelling to Napoli for the Europa League clash without 13 players who have COVID-19.

It kicks off on Thursday at the Stadio San Paolo at 17.55 UK time (16.55 GMT).

“These have been difficult days, but we did everything possible to ensure we could come here and fortunately those who are positive are asymptomatic,” said Slot in his press conference.

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Young Boys coach Gerardo Seoane maintains Roma ‘are a Champions League level team’ and the real battle is for second place in their Europa League group.

It kicks off on Thursday at 17.55 UK time (16.55 GMT), in a group with CSKA Sofia and CFR Cluj.

“We always want to give our best and there is a clear favourite in this group, who we will be facing tomorrow,” said Seoane in his press conference.

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Dries Mertens praises record Napoli signing Victor Osimhen, enjoys his new tactical role and assures ‘Italy and Napoli changed me.’

The Belgium international will face AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League tomorrow, having previously scored five goals against them, including a hat-trick for FC Utrecht in 2011.

“I was a kid then and I am no longer the same person who scored a hat-trick for Utrecht against PSV. Italy and Napoli changed me,” Mertens told Sky Sport Italia.

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Gonzalo Villar jokes new Roma teammate Pedro Rodriguez ‘must be 22 years old rather than 33, as he never stops running.’

The Europa League opener with Young Boys kicks off on Thursday at 17.55 UK time (16.55 GMT).

“Serie A is a different type of football to the one I am accustomed to, but I feel that I’ve adapted more this season and am training well,” said the midfielder in his press conference.

The Giallorossi beat Benevento 5-2 at the weekend with former Chelsea veteran Pedro particularly impressive.

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Paulo Fonseca assures there is mutual confidence at Roma and he’ll make huge changes for the Europa League opener with Young Boys.

It kicks off on Thursday at 17.55 UK time (16.55 GMT), in Group A with CSKA Sofia and CFR Cluj.

“We are all working together with the common objective of making Roma stronger every day,” said the coach in his press conference.

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Diego Laxalt warns Milan: ‘Every team have weak points,’ ahead of their Europa League meeting on Thursday.

"It will be a complicated and difficult game, It will be beautiful,” Laxalt told Milannews.it.

The Uruguay International joined Celtic on loan from Milan in the summer.

“For me it is a great opportunity. I am doing my best to help the team and my time will come. I hope I can help.”

“Every team has weaknesses,” the 27-year-old says referring to Milan.

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Dries Mertens is not sure Napoli are a stronger side compared to last season and reveals how Victor Osimhen can help the Azzurri.

“We have plenty of motivations,” the Belgian said in a press conference on the eve of Napoli's Europa League clash against Az Alkmaar.

“It is not easy when you change system, there are also difficult moments, we are still working.

“AZ are a strong team with very strong young players and a great future, if you are not smart you can also lose and concede many goals.”

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Milan have released their squad list for their Europa League clash against Celtic. Injured Hakan Calhanoglu and Ante Rebic are still out of action while Leo Duarte has tested negative for Covid but won’t travel with the team to Scotland.

Goalkeepers - A. Donnarumma, G. Donnarumma, Tatarusanu.

Defenders - Calabria, Conti, Dalot, Hernández, Kalulu, Kjær, Romagnoli.

Midfielders - Bennacer, Castillejo, Díaz, Hauge, Kessie, Krunić, Saelemaekers, Tonali.

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Milan forward Hakan Calhanoglu's agent reportedly asks for €6.5m a year to renew with the Rossoneri.

The Turkey international, who suffered a sprained ankle in training and will be out for 10 days, is one of the Milan players with a deal expiring in June 2021.

Calhanoglu has expressed his wish to stay at San Siro, but Tuttosport claims his agent Gordon Stipic has asked for a new deal worth €6.5m a season to remain.

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