Pioli agrees EuroDerby is most important match in his career: “Sure there will be more”

Stefano Pioli has agreed that the EuroDerby which gets underway on Wednesday night is the most important match of his career but he thinks there will be more in the future.

ahead of the match, the coach was asked whether the first leg with Milan as the home team is the most important match of his career so far, given it is a Champions League semi-final.

He responded: “Yes, inevitably. I’m sure there will be more in my future.”

Inevitably, Pioli was asked about the fitness of Rafael Leao who suffered an abductor injury during the 2-0 win over Lazio on Saturday. The coach explained that they will have to wait until the end of his fitness test at Milanello.

“We have to wait because [on Tuesday] he was scheduled to do some work and tomorrow morning he’ll come here to Milanello and we’ll see how it goes,” he said.

Facing Inter in a Champions League semi-final is something that hasn’t happened since 2003 and it is an occasion that caused Pioli to look back at the path he has been on with his team.

“It’s a great opportunity that we’ve won with an important path. These are two matches that we have to face at our best: only in this way, especially from the point of view of technical quality, can we get through this round. If we look at the path we have taken and to arrive here in the semi-finals after only three years, it is really something important. Credit to the players and the club,” Pioli said.