Following the draw against Torino, coach Gattuso’s side is focused on bouncing back against Benevento on the next Serie A TIM match at San Siro. As usual, the boss faced the media at Milanello Sports Centre on the eve of the meeting. This is what the coach said:
THE MATCH
“Benevento are a team that has nothing to lose and play football very well. If tomorrow we don’t play with the right mindset, we will struggle. We need to play with grit and determination. It’s a match we need to win”.
ON COACH DE ZERBI
“I have already faced coach De Zerbi in Serie C. He likes to play offensive football and has great ideas. I like his coaching style very much. He is very well prepared. When I meet a colleague, I always try to steal something from him”.
DIRECT OPPONENTS
“Atalanta, Fiorentina and Sampdoria are all direct opponents on our race to qualify for the Europa League. However, we have to focus only on us, think about doing our job, without forgetting where we were four months ago. It’s been a month since we don’t bring three points home. It’s time. We need to go back to winning ways”.
ON THE PREVIOUS MATCH AGAINST TORINO
“Montolivo or Locatelli are not guilty of the goal we conceded against Torino. That’s not the problem. The mistake was being harmless with our ball possession. I want us to be a solid team. It’s not a coincidence that we are behind Juventus and Napoli in numbers of crosses and shots on goal. We do well in the build-up and create a lot, with the exception of the last match against Toro”.
THE EUROPA LEAGUE
“The Europa League is very important. AC Milan must play in an international competition. It’s definitely better to be sixths than sevenths because it would be better to avoid the preliminary rounds. Wearing AC Milan’s shirt implies a big responsibility. I want to see a sense of belonging and the desire to fight from my players. Even if some may be tired. We must not be afraid. Then we will see how far we can go”.
ON THE INDIVIDUALS
“Biglia is an important player who gives us balance and always helps in defence. Locatelli could play in different positions in the centre midfield. Cutrone as a winger can be a good alternative. Let’s see. Patrick might start tomorrow but not in the wing. On Calabria and Calhanoglu we’ll decide tomorrow. Hakan should be fit after suffering some pain on the tendon and Davide as well. We had taken risks with Calabria in the past and did not end well. That’s why we decided not to make the same mistake against Torino”.
