Pioli: “I hope Brahim Diaz stays. Goodbye Kessie? Here’s what I dream about “

Stefano Pioli gave an interview to the microphones of the Spanish newspaper AS. Here are his statements:

Scudetto: “It was great. It is one of the best things that can happen to you in your career. Seeing the fans happy has been the most rewarding thing of all we’ve done this season. We believed in it from the start, but there were two fundamental matches: the comeback in the derby and the victory over Lazio. Winning the last six games, despite the worst schedule has shown my team’s mental strength. They haven’t given me the Scudetto medal yet, but they keep it at Casa Milan ”.

On Theo’s goal against Atalanta: “It was amazing and rare. If you look at the action, he could have done a thousand other things at that time. But Theo is like the wrath of God, he has incredible strength and determination. This year he has become a more complete player, it was good for him to go to France with his national team, because it means that he has reached a high level. I think he is already one of the best full backs in the world, but I think he still has a lot of room for improvement. “

About Brahim Diaz: “Many forget that Brahim is still young and that it was his first experience as a starter in a great team. It also happened in Tonali a year ago, it can happen that such a great pressure can cause a fluctuating trend. He got off to a great start, I agree, then injuries and Covid took away his confidence, and maybe some of my decisions disappointed him too. I am sure, however, that he is a great player, with enormous qualities and very useful for the way we play football. I would like him to stay at Milan “.

About Carlo Ancelotti: “Carlo often talks to Paolo Maldini, he complimented me through him. He is a great coach. He has won in all the championships, has an intelligence and a sensitivity that go beyond normal. He knows how to handle great teams and great players like no other. Marco Asensio? He is a great player, but he is a Real Madrid player and I am too happy with my players to talk about others right now ”.

On the young members: “The idea came from the club, but the support for our work has been enormous. They know that if you work with young people you need time, but we have come to this result because people like Zlatan, Giroud, Maignan and Florenzi have been a reference for younger players. There was the perfect mix, an empathy between everyone and this made us give more than 100% “.

On goodbyes: “I only look at what the field says. I have never seen any of them (Donnarumma, Calhanoglu and Kessie) being superficial on the pitch. I saw tremendous care, professionalism and a desire to prove they were very good. They worked very well and, for this reason, I always wish them the best, as I wish Franck. He is a guy who has proven to be a great player and a good person, who always works with a smile on his face. I hope everything goes well for him. At Barçellona or elsewhere, except if we meet in the Champions League. There I hope to beat him “.

On the Champions League: “This year’s matches have taught us a lot and we will be in the first pot. We have increased our value and our wealth of experience, we will play this competition with the idea of ​​going forward as much as possible “.

About the past: “In football it is normal. I have always felt appreciated where I have worked, trying to leave everything better than how I found it. Now being praised with the Scudetto is certainly part of the game. But that’s it, either you are very good or you are very bad. I have never been interested in labels, each coach has his own ideas and his philosophy. On Saturday we will see a final with two great coaches, but with very different ideas. There are several ways, but the best solution is always the one that makes players feel comfortable. Because they are the ones who make the difference ”.