SM
Arsenal vs. Chelsea: 4 hrs 34 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
ML
Serie A | Gameweek 8
Oct 20, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
LL

2-2

Calhanoglu (20'), Piatek (81')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Babacar (62'), Calderoni (92')

New Milan boss Stefano Pioli calls for "desire and focus"

:Headline: New Milan boss Stefano Pioli calls for 'desire and focus': ID:375503: from db_amp
The former Inter and Fiorentina manager faces Lecce for his first game in charge.

New AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli has cautioned not to expect a perfect display in his first match in charge against Lecce on Sunday.

Pioli has succeeded Marco Giampaolo at the San Siro and will be looking to turn around the fortunes of a club who have lost four of their opening seven Serie A games.

Milan welcome a Lecce side all of whose six points this season have come away from home and Pioli, who will celebrate his 54th birthday on the day of the game, wants total commitment from his new team.

"My players won't have to worry about being perfect – tomorrow it will be impossible to seem totally organised – but I expect a lot of desire and focus," he said at a press conference.

"I have quality players, tomorrow I will better understand the technical and physical characteristics of each one.

"So far the players are giving me everything, everyone is fine and everyone expects to play, the attitude is right and it will always have to be."

Milan have lost their last two home games, but Pioli is still aware of the size of the club and feels ready for the challenge ahead.

He lasted just six months as Inter boss before being sacked in May 2017, before two seasons in charge of Fiorentina.

"I'm at a prestigious club with a great history, it's an honour and a proud moment to be here," he said.

"If you coach Milan, playing at the San Siro doesn't have to be a worry, but an extra motivation.

"I feel like I am ready to coach at this level. Over the years I have learned above all from the bad experiences that have improved me both from a technical and a human perspective.

"I feel I have matured."

Struggling Lecce go into the game on the back of two straight defeats, but boss Fabio Liverani will not send his team out purely to frustrate their hosts.

"I do not believe that only by defending we will be able to score points," he said on the club website.

amp_article__375503 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-10-19 14:26:34:
html db last update - 2021-03-07 06:50:47 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Stefano Pioli

Click here for more stories about AC Milan

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter Milan33275179186186
2AC Milan33216664392569
3Juventus331810547262164
4Bologna331711548262262
5Roma32167957381955
6Atalanta BCAtalanta321661059372254
7Lazio33164134235752
8Napoli331310105041949
9Fiorentina32138114536947
10Torino33111393129246
11Monza331110123543-843
12Genoa33912123540-539
13Lecce33811143048-1835
14CagliariCagliari33711153656-2032
15Hellas VeronaHellas Verona33710163144-1331
16Empoli3387182648-2231
17Udinese32416123048-1828
18FrosinoneFrosinone33610174063-2328
19SassuoloSassuolo3368193965-2626
20Salernitana3329222670-4415
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .