GATTUSO: “WE’LL NEED A GREAT PERFORMANCE”
Milan prepare to face Napoli in the big match on Serie A TIM matchday 21 this Saturday, after recently beating Genoa at the Marassi on Monday. In view of this upcoming fixture, the Rossoneri's coach Gennaro Gattuso spoke to the press at Milanello prior to his team’s final training session of the week and his squad announcement. "For us to get all three points, then we’ll need to put in a great performance. We’re facing a team that, on a technical and tactical level, is scary. This year they pass it around like last year, however, they play it long a lot more and they can beat a man easily."
A YOUNG SQUAD
"On too many occasions we’re committing mistakes due to inexperience, however, we’re currently enjoying a positive spell. We put in a poor first-half performance during our recent trip to the Marassi, while we improved after the interval. The same thing also happened against Juventus. These type of matches, including the one on Saturday against Napoli, are what is needed to help us grow."
THE TEAM’S CONDITION
"I was concerned before Genoa v Milan last week and I wasn’t wrong because in the first 45 minutes we could’ve been 2-0 down. Up until yesterday, I’ve so far seen that a team that is focused and training well. We’ll see how it goes today."
ANCELOTTI
"He has innate technical and personal skills, particularly when it comes to management. He gets in your head, reaching the depths of every player. In 20 years, I’ve only heard few players speak ill of him. Carlo and I have been through a lot, and at times it was like father and son. If I’ve reached certain levels then it’s also down to him."
PIATEK
"He is a man of few words, almost like Robocop. He already demonstrated his qualities in training yesterday. He’s physical, he has a desire to score goals and he can attack space. I like him, he’s got great enthusiasm. I’m sure that can be of great help. Let’s wait and see if he starts tomorrow. Higuain? He’s part of the past, I don’t want to discuss him. He made his choice. I thank him for what he gave us, both on a personal and technical level. He suffered a lot from the focus of the media, and undoubtedly the red card and missed penalty against Juve left its mark."
PAQUETÁ
"He’s not your typical Brazilian player and he can still do more. I saw that he was ready right from the off, and it wasn’t by chance that he was starting just a few days after he joined. We expect a lot from him. The market? We’re all sorted. There won’t be any more departures."
INDIVIDUALS
"It’s true that Leipzig enquired about Calhanoglu but I’ve always told the club that he’s a fundamental player for me. He was never on the market. Cutrone has probably understood what I was saying to him. I’ve seen a change in him since the start of the new year. A partnership with Piatek? They are two proper strikers and in certain games, we’ll be able to play with both of them up front. Every player that comes or goes is the consequence of dialogue with the club. So, if Piatek has joined then it means that I like him."
A DECISIVE WEEK?
"We must try to remain close to the Champions League places and then it’ll be all to play for in spring. From here to the end of the season, every match will be decisive."
(Photo Getty Images)
