Pioli before the rematch with Napoli: We have what it takes to win! What does the AC coach think can decide the outcome of the match?

AC Milan face one of the most important games of the season on Tuesday 18 April. They will face Napoli in the Champions League quarter-final return leg. How does Rossoneri coach Stefano Pioli see the upcoming clash?

AC Milan managed to beat Napoli 1-0 at the San Siro in the first Champions League quarter-final match, but it cannot be said that Stefano Pioli’s charges are the better team.

The Rossoneri played more on the break in the first encounter and one of them was successful in the 40th minute when Brahim Díaz finished off a set piece after a pass from Rafael Leão. So it can be said that AC won thanks to the final 15 minutes of the first half, which the visitors failed to manage.

It should be noted that if Simon Kjaer had hit the ball into the net with a header instead of the crossbar, the lead could have been two goals. In the 74th minute, Andre Zambo Anguissa was sent off for a foul and a few minutes later Min-Jae Kim was also sent off.

It should be added, after the match the performance of the referee was addressed, who was punished and will not blow his whistle again in this season of the millionaire competition. Napoli fans have even filed a class action lawsuit demanding €150 million in compensation.

Napoli can therefore not count on three players for the rematch, including the still injured Giovanni Simeone. The big news for the Partenopei, however, is that their top scorer Victor Osimhen returns to the line-up.

AC Milan do not currently have Zlatan Ibrahimovic available, but he is not on the roster for the Champions League anyway. The only confusion is around defender Malick Thiwa, who has muscle problems. Olivier Giroud resolved his problems during the week.

We’ve got what it takes to win!

“A very important goal is at stake. To win, we will have to play at a high level. But we know how to do it and we have the necessary qualities. Napoli started better than us at the San Siro, which should serve as a lesson for us. The right approach can be key,” Pioli said at a press conference on Tuesday’s rematch.

“We always take into account the characteristics of the opponent, especially when we play against such a strong team. We have our own way of playing and we have to apply it intelligently throughout the 90 minutes. We will have to be able to dictate the pace of the game and understand when to slow down or speed up,” explained the AC coach.

Finally, he praised the work of Díaz, who is constantly improving and becoming a top player. According to Pioli, he has a great character for such a young age and can cope well with a lot of pressure.

Sources: AC Milan, UEFA Champions League