AC Milan v Slavia Praha, Europa League 2023/24: the pre-match press conference

Watch AC Milan v Slavia Praha, Europa League 2023/24: the pre-match press conference - A.C. MILAN OFFICIAL on Dailymotion

Transcript

00:00 We have to think that we are capable of winning it, but we also need to do a good job of making it through this round.

00:07 I don't think we should necessarily get ahead of ourselves because matches are all very difficult in Europe.

00:16 We're up against a team that only lost once in the group stage against Roma.

00:21 As Jas has said, it will be important to make the most of playing at home tomorrow night,

00:26 but after that it's one round at a time. As I said, we're playing well,

00:30 we need to make the most of our form and we need to stay focused on making it through to the next round.

00:35 Within us, we're aware of the fact and we have the motivation and enthusiasm that we can go all the way, absolutely.

00:42 They're a team with a lot of intensity, they cover the pitch a great deal, they're very direct, they run a lot,

00:48 they always have three up front playing very close to one another.

00:51 They're a team that like to keep possession, like to shift the ball, but they like to stretch the pitch,

00:58 they like to get the ball forward quickly to their pacy powerful strikers.

01:02 They're a team that play with high intensity, high octane football.

01:06 They've got a quality squad, good quality, decent squad and their head coach is very good because he often makes five or six

01:15 changes between games, even when there's not necessarily European matches, but he is always able to keep those performance levels high.

01:22 He's been there for a long time, since 2018, twice they've been in the quarterfinals of the Europa League.

01:29 So, as I said, we need to show a great deal of respect and focus ahead of playing Slavia Prague.

01:34 We can consider it a crucial stage of the season, yes.

01:38 We can consider it a period where we also need to prove that we're at top level,

01:44 but it's not easy for everyone to be competitive, both domestically and in Europe.

01:49 So our aim, it's not necessarily for one single player, it's for the whole team, for the whole squad of players.

01:56 I know that I'm coaching an excellent group of players.

01:59 I'm very proud to coach these players who give 100 percent day in, day in, day out.

02:03 And they try and show it when they get the opportunity.

02:06 I think just like against Rennes, we're at home in the first leg.

02:12 So tomorrow, right from the word go, we'll try and produce a very intense performance

02:18 and put the opposition under pressure.

02:20 We know that we're up against strong opponents, but we'll be ready.

02:23 I think when Milan are involved in a competition, the goal is always to try and win it.

02:28 It's a big opportunity.

02:32 This is not the Champions League, but it is a high level tournament.

02:38 Nonetheless, there are some top class teams and we're also top class opposition.

02:42 We want to prove that and we need to show that.

02:45 I don't know if I've necessarily become a first in regular for Milan.

02:49 I think we have six very strong midfielders

02:53 and all of us can play in any match without the team's level dropping off.

02:58 Of course, my teammates have different attributes to me,

03:05 but we try and make the most of everyone's skill set.

03:08 We all get on with one another.

03:10 We all want to help out the team and we want to make sure that the team continues

03:13 to play at a high level.

03:15 [MUSIC PLAYING]