By Anna Italia
Follow me in Twitter @ItalianSerieA,
Facebook: Anna Italia Page
Instagram: annaitalia2
Italian Soccer Serie A

Inter – AC Milan

Serie A Standing BEFORE the game:
AC Milan, 2nd position with 9 points and a positive goal difference of +7
Inter, 5th position with 7 points and a positive goal difference of +4

Here are AC Milan Coach Stefano Pioli statements during the press conference on Friday 16 October 2020 ahead of the Serie A Week 4 game “Milan Derby” Inter vs AC Milan on Saturday 17 October 2020 at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan, Italy at 18:00.

In case you missed the Coach’s conference earlier, you can head over to the app and watch it anytime 👇https://t.co/k2zluibzhx
Se vi siete persi la conferenza del Mister, è sempre disponibile sulla nostra App! ☝️#SempreMilan #InterMilan pic.twitter.com/Zor5AQVqZQ

— AC Milan (@acmilan) October 16, 2020

AC Milan Coach Stefano Pioli’s statements courtesy of acmilan.com.

AN IMPORTANT TEST FOR AC MILAN
“We have our own identity and way of playing out on the pitch. For us, the tests never stop: we know that this will be an important and difficult test, but we’ve prepared well in the little time we had available. We feel ready.”

FANS
“Unfortunately, there won’t be a crowd, but we’ll take to the pitch aware of the importance of this match and what it means. We need to be ready to play well and be better than our opponents.”

THE GROWTH PROCESS
“I’d like to thank Carlo Ancelotti for his kind words. Our journey began a year ago, but I can also say that we’re still in the early stages: we still have plenty of room for improvement. We’ll be facing the side that everyone is tipping for the league title, but we’re going to take to the pitch with the objective to do better than them.”

IBRA’S CONDITION
“Zlatan has been smiling and is in a positive and determined frame of mind. He’s only been training for a week but is feeling fine. He’s ready to play, but we still need to assess how many minutes he’s got in his legs.”

HOW AC MILAN ARE DOING GOING INTO THE GAME
“We’re doing well, but this is also the case for them. Beating such a strong side would give us enthusiasm and even more confidence in the qualities we have, but we need to take it game by game. I believe that our Derby defeat last season was very important: we drew many lessons from it and showed quality, while we also proved that we can match them. At the same time, we also learned that all it takes is a moment of carelessness to be punished. Since that match, we’ve grown a lot.”

THE OPPONENTS
“We’ll be facing a side with a system that sees players occupy precise positions on the pitch. Inter are very strong, but, like all teams, also have weaknesses. We need to remain composed and understand when it’s necessary to press and when we need to bide our time. Our approach to the match will be the same as it usually is: we’ll be intense and won’t hold off. This will also apply to them. I’m therefore expecting a spectacular game.”

HAUGE, REBIĆ AND KJÆR
“Jens is a smart kid, he’s picking things up quickly. He’s fast and technical and can be important for our style of play. I don’t think Ante will be available for tomorrow, he’ll be looked at next week and then we’ll have a better idea of when he’ll return. Simon is an intelligent lad and an absolute professional, the contribution he’s making is of the highest level. Despite the fact we’re lacking numbers in defence, the return of Romagnoli will allow us to continue our defensive work.”

AC MILAN’S START TO THE LEAGUE SEASON
“Our path at the beginning of the season was important in terms of preparing for this match. Some people think that the three games we won were easy, but we know that it’s never easy to win. We also know just how important it was to go beyond the Europa League preliminary stages. Zlatan’s return is an additional boost going into the Derby.”

By Anna Italia
Follow me in Twitter @ItalianSerieA,
Facebook: Anna Italia Page
Instagram: annaitalia2
Italian Soccer Serie A

Inter – AC Milan

Serie A Standing BEFORE the game:
AC Milan, 2nd position with 9 points and a positive goal difference of +7
Inter, 5th position with 7 points and a positive goal difference of +4

Inter Coach Antonio Conte optimistic during the press conference on the eve of the Derby della Madonnina on Saturday 17 October 2020 valid for the Serie A Week 4 at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan, Italy at 18:00.

📡 | LIVE

Coach Antonio Conte’s press conference on the eve of the #DerbyMilano: let’s listen to it together 👇https://t.co/3sOMRaA66c

— Inter (@Inter_en) October 16, 2020

Here are Antonio Conte’s declarations during the press conference on Friday 16 October 2020 courtesy of inter.it.

What value do you attribute to this game? It arrives at the start of a very important cycle…

“We look to do well in all the games we play, in every game there are three points up for grabs. Of course, the Derby brings bigger challenges. We’re facing a strong team that’s performing well, their performances are following on from an excellent end to last season and are continuing in the same manner. We want to do well and continue how we’ve started and we’re aware that there will be challenges.”

So many Nerazzurri players performed well with their respective national teams

“The last to come back were Alexis and Vidal. If you do well on international duty, you come back with high morale. We want to prepare well for the match and we’ll make the most of the morale that these players are bringing back with them after excelling for their national teams.

How difficult is it to prepare for a Derby in these conditions, with only one training session available before the game?

“An extra day would have made things more comfortable, but there are calendars to respect and we’ll adhere to them. We’re preparing for it today since we haven’t got any other choice. Between video analysis and things written on the whiteboard, training will not need to be too intense or long: the players came back yesterday having played two or three games consecutively”

Can one already talk about this as a crucial fixture and a test of maturity?

“It’s Matchday four, and important games will be coming thick and fast from now until the end of the season. It’s obvious that, when it comes to taking responsibility, I expect the lads to grow. It’s important to keep moving forward.”

How’s Alexis Sanchez?

“He came back yesterday with muscle fatigue. We’ll evaluate him today during training and we’ll obviously have to be careful. There’s a cycle of seven games with fixtures every three days, so we will make our evaluations with the player and then we’ll judge the level of risk. If he says he’s ready because of how he feels physically, then we’ll listen to him”.

How is the health crisis currently impacting things?
“We all need to be proactive and work together. We also need to accept the current situation. There needs to be patience and willingness. We’ve already been through a very difficult period, and it’s disappointing that it’s quickly been forgotten about. Now, it seems like another difficult period is on the horizon, both in the world of sport and in life in general. We need to show more unity than ever to deal with the situation as best we can and march ahead. Should things come to a halt, it’d be disastrous for everyone. Everybody must try to do their all in their own personal domain.”

Have you noticed a change in philosophy and mentality in Italian football, with teams looking to control matters more and perhaps risk more in defence?

“Last season, we scored 113 goals in all competitions. This was a lot, and I hope we can repeat this feat. Football is continuously undergoing evolutionary changes: the intensity and tempo of the game has increased, as has the way teams press. We need to adapt to certain situations and opportunities. The standard has increased in Italy, with their being more desire to play matches in an open manner, to build from the back and propose certain ideas.”

Inter will be without a number of players, will the team need to play with more of a competitive edge out on the pitch?

“I don’t think that any difficulties we might have should have an impact on the team’s intensity or desire. Our determination, attitude and concentration levels always need to be at the maximum level. Since I’ve been at Inter, I’ve only had focused and determined players at my disposal, I’m happy with what I’m seeing.”

How are you expecting the match-up between Hakimi and Theo Hernandez to play out?

“I’m expecting a match between two sides with very interesting players who are capable of helping out their respective teams. Hakimi and Hernandez both have great physical prowess and quality.”

How does Inter’s three-man defence fit into the team’s way of playing?

“We ask our central defenders to help in our build-up play, and this is something we work on a lot. We also ask one of the two defenders either side of the man in the middle to join in when we attack. During my coaching career, I’ve had players that are natural full-backs fulfil that role: Azpilicueta and Kolarov are two examples. More and more club sides are adopting a three-man defence: it’s an evolutionary development in the game.”

Have you already decided who will play in midfield?

“I’ve certainly got less of a selection headache given that we’ve only got four midfielders available. Tomorrow will be the first of seven matches in a period which will see us play every three to four days. As I’ve always said, it will be necessary for us to rotate. At the same time, I’m very calm: we’ll be starting out with three midfielders, new players will come in on Wednesday, with this also being the case on Saturday. Everyone will be involved. The most important thing is to show willingness to be ready: the players need to make a positive impact whether they start or come on during matches.”

Has there been too much backlash about Eriksen’s comments?

“I don’t know if he hasn’t played a lot for Inter. At the moment, in my opinion, he’s playing well. I make the decisions for the good of the team, although I can make mistakes. I’m impressed by what he’s giving to Inter, there’s always room for him here as there is for everyone: it’ll be a long and exhausting season. Tomorrow I’ll play three midfielders and have another midfield option on the bench. Eriksen is showing his worth.”

When a player is diagnosed with COVID-19, how long will it be before we’ll see him again on the pitch?

“COVID-19 positive players are monitored on a daily basis by all the staff. It’s difficult to use the ball at home, but we try to keep them going. We also do video sessions to limit the damage that this period of inactivity can do. Of course, they will be in a worse condition than their teammates who still continue to train.”

How much will you miss the crowd’s support in the upcoming Derby?
“I regret to say that playing without the fans’ support is not an enjoyable experience. One forgets how much you work and sweat just to entertain the fans who come to watch. In the last Derby, the support of our fans was essential for our comeback. But in this instance, we have no choice but to get on with it and give it our best for the colours of our Club.”

2020 – 2021 Italian Serie A Week 4

Inter – AC Milan
Saturday 17 October 2020
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium
Milan, Italy

18:00

Referee: MARIANI
Assistants: COSTANZO – BINDONI
Fourth Official: MARESCA
VAR: IRRATI
AVAR: CARBONE

By Anna Italia
Follow me in Twitter @ItalianSerieA,
Facebook: Anna Italia Page
Instagram: annaitalia2
Italian Soccer Serie A

Inter – AC Milan

Serie A Standing BEFORE the game:
AC Milan, 2nd position with 9 points and a positive goal difference of +7
Inter, 5th position with 7 points and a positive goal difference of +4

The Milan Derby buildup is set with AC Milan defender Theo Hernández  warming up to shine in the Derby della Madonnina on Saturday 17 October 2020 valid for the Serie A Week 4 at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan, Italy at 18:00.

🔴⚫ @TheoHernandez warming up for the Derby della Madonnina in #FIFA21 🔴⚫
Watch the full match here ➡ https://t.co/9khYRXc3XM@EASPORTSFIFA @KAKA #SempreMilan #InterMilan pic.twitter.com/k5pYuQfZLd

— AC Milan (@acmilan) October 16, 2020