Ahead of their game against Torino on Friday, AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli faced the media for the routine pre-match press conference.
Pioli who led Milan to their first scudetto in 11 years last season is currently enduring a horrible season with his team.
The Rossoneri are currently placed sixth in the Serie A table with 38 points , eighteen below table leaders Napoli. They have lost three games in a row including the Derby della Madonnina, and in total, have suffered five defeats.
Owing to that form, criticism is flowing towards the former Inter Milan boss. He insists he’s appreciative of it.
“Criticism? When one coaches Milan criticism or praise is always exaggerated, so I accept anything.
“The Milan coach has to win and I’m not succeeding at the moment, but it’s not a question of denying a path, but of making the evaluations that have to be made.”
Milan were recently boosted by the return of veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic from injury. Pioli sees a turnaround of their fortunes with the Swedish back.
“He’s better, his autonomy is almost nil because he’s had half a training session and today’s training session.
“His role is that of a great motivator and a great player. Tomorrow he will be with us because he wants to be with us.”
As they look to return to winning ways, Pioli expects a tough game against their bogey side. Asked about his expectations about the game, he said;
“They try to dirty the dribbles from the start. We’ve reviewed the matches. There will be a lot of duels and a lot of second balls, so we’ll need a lot of organisations and a lot of desire to go and retrieve the ball. We want to propose attacking football, immediate ball recovery and pressure. That’s what we want to be and that’s what we have to be.”
Torino are placed just a place below Milan.
