Pioli tells players to prepare for Anfield-esque atmosphere in game that is not ‘decisive’

AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli believes that the game against Borussia Dortmund will be a very important one, but won’t be ‘decisive’ in determining if his side make the Champions League knockout stages.

Milan are on a good run in the league having beaten Hellas Verona 1-0, Cagliari 3-1 and most recently Lazio 2-0, putting them joint-top of the standings together with rivals Inter and suggesting another Scudetto battle could have been ignited.

Before that Verona game the Rossoneri opened their UCL group stage campaign with a frustrating 0-0 draw against Newcastle United, a game they dominated and should have won, making qualification for the last 16 a bit more tricky.

Pioli was interviewed by Sky in the build-up to the game against Die Schwarzgelben, with his comments relayed by MilanNews and translated below.

How important a game is it?

“There will be four more matches to go, it can’t be decisive. To get through this group we will need a lot of points, we have an opportunity to overcome this away match and against an opponent who haven’t lost at home in the Champions League for two years.”

What kind of a game are you expecting?

“The idea is to try to be dangerous and try to get in behind. It becomes difficult to create a lot and not score like against Newcastle, tomorrow we will have to be effective and incisive.”

What kind of an atmosphere will your players face?

“It will be beautiful, but there is no fear. I told the team that the atmosphere could be reminiscent of Anfield, but tomorrow evening we arrive as important players, from the atmosphere we will find energy and adrenaline to play the best match possible.”

You decided to play Dortmund chants over the speakers in training…

“It’s new, we’re coming to play in a special environment. The players will have to be good at communicating, I don’t know if I’ll be able to give my instructions and that’s why we did it.”

Can Leao be decisive?

“All matches must belong to Leao and Milan. Everyone must work and collaborate, then we make ourselves available to the players with more quality. He will give his best.”

What is the mood in the squad at the moment? It seems positive…

“It comes from the belief we have. We have been working together since this summer and it cannot be a bad defeat that can interrupt a journey. What we have done is in the past, we must think about the future. The club supports us, the important thing it’s about having confidence. We’re a good team that can get satisfaction.”

Is the 20th Scudetto an objective?

“The objective is to be competitive. We have to show off on the pitch with conviction and at the end of the season the conclusions will be drawn.”