Pioli on the eve of Atalanta-Milan: “Difficult match”. Leao out of the squad

Stefano Pioli does not feel like the “villain of the story”, but neither does he feel like the deus ex machina of Milan, the hero of the situation, this time without a mask. At the end of the conference there were those who dusted off Batman, in particular the phrase from “The Dark Knight” which says: “Either you die a hero, or you live long enough to become the villain”. Pioli smiled, reiterated that he likes the character and then focused on the responsibilities. “I don’t feel like the scapegoat, or a superhero, or a victim. I coach Milan, so I have duties and honors. I have to think about the good of the team.” And so tomorrow he will go to Bergamo to play against Atalanta. In front there will be the usual Gian Piero Gasperini, the most faced coach in his career: “We have been challenging each other since the youth teams of Bologna and Juve, in the Primavera. More than twenty years ago. I wouldn’t steal anything from him because everyone has their own ideas, but I respect him a lot.”

leao out

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Atalanta is always an important crossroads for Pioli’s history. “Difficult matches, they will fight until the end for a place in the Champions League like us.” There will be one opponent to keep an eye on: Charles De Ketelaere: “I’m following him a lot, he plays in a more offensive role and has started well. He had to understand certain situations, he is a player of perspective, he needs to be monitored carefully.” Finally, nothing can be done for Leao. The Portuguese has not yet recovered from his injury and he will not be called up. As well as Kjaer and Okafor, also in the pits.

bennacer

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The return of Bennacer, who returned to play a handful of minutes against Frosinone, was fundamental: “He needs some time. Absences are always an opportunity to demonstrate our value. Regarding Ismail, I can say that he has made an incredible recovery, with great consistency. We expect him to be 100% fit and he will soon be a starter.” Pioli also spoke about Jovic, who scored in the last match. “He has talent and quality, but he has to work on intensity. He needs this last step to become a top player.” One of those who usually always plays, like Rade Krunic, even if in the last period the Bosnian has struggled more: “The problem is the condition. He has always played well, but now he has had a decline. There are teammates who are better than him.” Pioli closes by talking about ambitions. “The minimum objective is fourth place, but we can do even more. The football we play has deep roots, certain knowledge. We must be competitive in Europe and in Serie A with our ideas.”