MIHAJLOVIC LOOKS AHEAD TO BOLOGNA
Sinisa Mihajlovic has been speaking to the press ahead of the first match of 2016 against Bologna.
"We go into 2016 with plenty of optimism. We have three fundamental games ahead, against Bologna, Roma and Carpi and if we can do well then we will be in good heart for the home games against our direct rivals. Bologna is first up and they have improved under Donadoni. They may have lost against Empoli. They have players like Brienza and Destro who can cause problems. Hopefully the law of the former player does not come into play. The first match back after the break is always tricky so we need to be fully focused".
"The first three matches in January are vital. We want to close the first half of the season well and start the second in good form. There is a proverb that 'the lion does not lose sleep over what the sheep thinks, it eats it'. That is the way it should be and I have not read what Honda has said but he speaks when he is back in Japan but not here. You will have to speak to Keisuke and he will explain everything because it can be lost in translation, but it happened to me as well when I was a player".
"We have to take the pitch with the sort of spirit we showed at Frosinone which was different from Carpi and Verona. You need more than skill to win. Maybe Bayern Munich or Barcelona can get away with that. You need personality and desire as well and we will need that against Bologna. We need to improve our mentality".
"I do not think Boateng will start but we have everyone available apart from Balotelli, Menez and Romagnoli. Berlusconi give me the chance to coach this team and it is a best present possible. Boateng will be useful. We will have Balotelli and Menez back soon. When Balotelli is fit he will back in full training. He should be back by mid-January or towards the end of the month. It is the same discussion with Menez. It has not been too cold here in Milan so they have started working with the play but at the moment it is personalised training".
(Photo LaPresse)
