18 September 2021
THE MATCH VS MILAN
"It is one of the most important matches of the season, and is a great game to be a part of. We have to put in a good performance, we only have one point in the standings and we are facing a team that has been playing very well for a year and a half. We have to follow up on the victory in Sweden. We are improving and tomorrow's match is more important for them than for us. Milan have acquired authority and confidence, they are very confident and played a good match in Liverpool."
LINE-UP DOUBTS
"I have three doubts for tomorrow's game: one is in defence, one is in midfield and one in attack. I'll decide all of them tomorrow morning. Federico Chiesa is one of those doubts. Federico is a player who gives his best on the right, whereas if he moved up top, he would need to play with an out and out striker and so it may be difficult for that to happen. On the left, he has important qualities that would let him take advantage of one-on-one's on the pitch and getting shots off on goal. He must improve in the reading of the game and on the timing of the game. His best qualities are his dribbling, pace, shooting on goal and the wickedness with which he does them."
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE SEASON
"We will have the first indications of the season by the November break, when 12 Matchdays and four Champions League games will have been played. Serie A is very balanced, there is no team that can walk the title. We must make up for the ground lost at the beginning."
THE DEFENCE: BONUCCI, DE LIGT E RUGANI
"Leonardo Bonucci is a very reliable player, for a coach having someone like this is very important. Matthijs de Ligt is still young, he's 22 and he's already very good, he has important prospects and qualities that he still needs to improve. A pleasant surprise this year has been Daniele Rugani, a player I rely on a lot."
You can rewatch the press conference in English in its entirety HERE (outside of Italy only).
