MONTELLA: "ITS' GOING TO BE A BATTLE, WE HAVE TO PLAY AT OUR BEST"
On the eve of the match against Juventus, coach Montella spoke to Milan TV and the rest of the press at the regular press conference ahead of Friday's big match in Turin, at 8:45 pm. These were his words.
JUVENTUS
"Juve have won a lot over the past few years, they're used to it. In the league, they are almost unbeatable, we have to focus on ourselves and give everything we have. I don't like to talk about luck, we have to play at our best, with great hunger. Juve are really strong, they can dominate the game and score at the right moment. And the Juventus Stadium gives them another boost, but it will be the same for us. I don't think they'll be distracted by the Champions League. And the race for the title is closed".
THE MATCH
"It's going to be a battle, we want to win it. It's going to be a really hard match, we will need the right mentality and approach. Juve know how to win, but we already managed to beat them this season. Compared to the past, they have changed their style of play. Maybe they'll make a few more changes. The game is worth 3 points, like the one against Chievo: winning would give us a great lift in the race for Europe".
THE TEAM
"Is this AC Milan's best period of form? For sure we feel more confident. The line-up? I still have a few doubts, more than usual. The dinner with the team? It has become a habit, but it's not mandatory for the players. I'm happy to see this participation. The team is improving, we are fielding different players but this is normal".
LEAGUE TABLE
"We are happy for what we have achieved, I see great consistency and harmony. We are not that happy about our position in the league. There are still 11 games to play, it's a crucial moment of the season: one point more or less or one position doesn't make much difference, it's the attitude that matters".
EUROPE
"It's all going to be decided in the last game, this is what I think. Atalanta will fight until the end. Kudos to them because they play really entertaining football. I have great admiration for them. To reach our goal we need constant balance".
FUTURE
"I have a contract and the current management is showing me that they appreciate what I'm doing. Speaking about victories is reductive, you can win even without lifting a trophy".
SUSO AND LOCATELLI
"Suso is fine, we spoke with the doctors and today we'll decide whether he'll make it into the squad list. Locatelli has a fever since Wednesday, we'll know more today".
DEULFOEU
"His style of play matches ours. He has great qualities but has to improve shooting because a player with his skills should score more goals".
BACCA
"After Sassuolo he's more relaxed, if he was less serene it was also my fault. This is the real Bacca, a great striker which helps his teammates".
BONAVENTURA
"He's really important for us, he's really a class player, but now he's out injured and there's nothing I can do about it. I have to focus on the players I have so that they can perform at their best in the match against Juve".
VISMARA
"I liked how well it is organised and the entire place: this shows how much AC Milan believes in the youth sector, which is important both for the present and the future. Maldini? It was a nice surprise meeting him, I've always held him in great esteem. We played against each other many times. It was a pleasant meeting since it was the first time we have met since I got here".
BARCELONA-PSG
"We watched the match altogether, we're sorry for PSG but this is football. I tried to analyse the game from the perspective of a coach, looking at the different phases of the game. When they scored the goal for 3-1 it looked like they were through, but Barcelona's reaction proved how much the psychological aspect can make the difference. Congratulations to Barça. It was a really thrilling match, over the entire 90'. This is what never give up means".
(Photo LaPresse)
