(IN THE PHOTO: press conference at Milanello) 
MILAN – Cristian Brocchi faced the media on Sunday afternoon and took questions ahead of the round 35 Serie A match with Hellas Verona which is scheduled for Monday at 17.00 CET. This is what the coach had to say: 
"We are working on our mental approach because the team have encountered some difficulties against the smaller sides this season. One of our objectives is to ensure that we start all of our matches in an aggressive fashion and send a strong message to our opponents but also our fans. It’s important I instill confidence and faith into the squad. We haven’t had much time to work together, but we have taken the first steps. Criticism aside, I feel the amount of possession we enjoyed versus Carpi is a step forward. This is all part of our development process. We outdid Napoli for possession who are a side that have had the whole season to work together and who have a very good coach. I am pleased with the team, even if I am fully aware there is still a lot of work to be done. After lacking the cutting edge in the Carpi game, the focus of our training sessions has been on our finishing in the final third of the pitch and attacking the spaces. If the team were to carry out perfectly what I have asked of them, then they would be exceptional because it will take time. However, I am sure we will see elements of what I am asking for and that the players will all give that little bit more."We are not already thinking about the cup final but rather taking things one game at a time. We have to work as one to ensure we turn the situation around. We are working hard to get better and the cup final will be the end of a process that we have recently started. The club is working hard to ensure we bring through youth players who can then go on to play for the first team. The youth players won’t be given any hand-outs: if they deserve it, they will play."Bonaventura will have a check-up on Wednesday for his injury and we will see what it says. It was important to speak to Bacca. What was said between us was genuine and convincing and I was very moved. My ambition is to give the best I can. I was chosen to bring the ideas I have shown in recent years to this team. For me, teaching youth players is the same as teaching senior players. My only thought is doing the best I can for the players I am in charge of and for the club. Our speed on the ball is also an aspect that has to be worked on, but I think we will see improvements as of the game with Hellas Verona. I would only get angry if the team did what it wanted after fully understanding my ideas. I am realistic enough to know that the team won’t have understood all of my ideas in such a short amount of time. But I am confident."The players are happy and confident. None of them have ever put the formation at the heart of our problems. We live in a world where everyone is free to express their opinion. I assess the players on their characteristics. My playing system has a play-maker, two wide-midfielders and an attacking trident and they all link-up. It’s only to be expected that a new coach and training methods bring with it some injuries. But they are only minor ones and we haven’t intensified too much the levels of training: I have brought in my ideas, but gradually. I am expecting Bacca and the rest of the players to show pride tomorrow. I want a strong team performance. Bonaventura’s injury is a blow, he is very talented and he reads the game well as he has fully shown in the past. I don’t know who I will choose in the attacking role behind the two forwards. Boateng and Honda are different type of players and my decision will be linked to who I select in midfield. Menez does have solo tendencies, but he is training well and he is part of the group like the rest of the squad. There are no doubting his qualities."