MILAN - Cristian Brocchi has been speaking to the press ahead of Milan's match against Carpi on Thursday.
The coach said: "It will be very important is to consolidate the 5% against Carpi. I want to see if it's real or not. And then double it. I want to make progress which will help us from here to the end of the season. We have been out on the training pitch but we have not been able to do a lot. The players are still a bit tired but we have been going over tactics and hopefully they will be more relaxed and focused today ahead of the major challenge tomorrow."The first examination is mental. Milan must have courage. It is in its DNA. We have to take the game to the opposition tomorrow and it might be difficult or a bit easier if we play the way we did against Juventus and Sampdoria. I am pleased for the players and I have seen them eager and motivated. That has relaxed me. It is all a matter of focus and understanding what you can achieve. We did that against Sampdoria and I want to see it again tomorrow.
"From our point of view we must have the same hunger and our quality and desire to win needs to emerge. There are no fixed positions as such in my teams especially in midfield. I like to see players interchange positions and so you have no fixed points of reference and you can bring out your quality. We have the players who can do that.
"We can not talk about players or characteristics, if there are no athletes of a certain type. I like an attacking midfielder or support striker that moves around the pitch and finds a position that is useful for the team. Thought must be offensive, not defensive in that role. Boateng has important personalities. He has great desire to be useful to the cause. I am happy when I have many doubts about the line-up. It means that everyone can have a chance. You cannot change four or five players in every game. There needs to be a solid core and then have the players ready to come on."Bertolacci has a slight problem so he will not play. As with the other players I have spoken to Balotelli to get to know him and for him to know me. I need to understand what players can give me. He is different from the person who arrived in the summer, when you look him in the eye he has something real and profound. A look says a lot, I expect positive things."I spoke with the President after the game, and he was satisfied with the victory. He told me to continue working with my thoughts and principles of football. He wants the best for Milan and you can see it in his eyes. I know nothing about the cooperate side of the club. I am not a manager or sporting director."I cannot think about the Italian Cup today, I have to look at the next league game and we must have a proactive attitude, looking to win the ball back when we lose it. I am not anxious or afraid. There is not a lot time but I want the team playing positive football. It is also a mental thing and the players need to believe in themselves and go out there to win.
"We have to ease Locatelli in. I like him a lot and I think we will see him Milan sides in the years to come. I know Calabria has been struggling lately but he will come through it and he can play his part in the run-in to the end of the season. Honda is ready to play and I am going to have to make a few choices in my selection and I am sure he will answer the call."It all about the mental approach and putting in 100% in training and always giving your all. I need to help all the players so that they can take their chance and if they are on the bench to put that behind them and give everything when they come on. Abbiati is a friend so it was normal that we would embrace after the game. He is a friend away from the game but he knows what is good for Milan."The last eight days have been exciting. It was what I always thought and Mauri is training well. I see a little of myself in him and I like his attitude. I cannot make promises but I like what he is doing."