Salernitana-Milan, Pioli: “Maignan won’t be back soon, Giroud is ok”

From our correspondent Marco Pasotto

January 3rd
– Carnago (Varese)

Among the aspects in which – in his own words at the end of the year – Stefano Pioli said he has particularly improved, there is that of “different tactical solutions”. Something that the coach in the three years with the Rossoneri showed he was able to handle expertly partly because it was necessary to remove recognition from his team, partly because he was forced by practical needs. The new year, with the first game of 2023, drastically raises the issue in both respects. On the one hand, a decidedly less “genial” team both in the latest pre-Qatar official outings and in the December friendlies; on the other, a more or less perennial overbooked infirmary, which forces the essentials to be even more essential, and Pioli to get all the other rotations right.

Uncertainty

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“As far as injuries are concerned, I’m responsible, as I’m in charge of what happens at Milanello. We’re working to reduce the number, which we obviously don’t like – explains Pioli -. However, for Origi and Rebic it’s not a question of long problems, I think I’ll have them back soon. A striker from the January transfer market? If the managers have some opportunities, as always, I think they won’t be caught unprepared.” But if the attack is a more or less short-term affair, the same cannot be said for the goalkeeper. Thus, when the technician is asked directly about Maignan’s possible return date, the answer certainly doesn’t generate peace of mind: “At the moment there is no idea about his return, the evaluations tell us that it is therefore not possible to push I don’t know the timing. Certainly not in the short term. We can’t risk it stopping again, the scar hasn’t consolidated yet”. In Salerno, the Mirante option waned after the mistakes in Eindhoven, Tatarusanu will play, “who is an expert and in whom I have a lot of faith”.

GROWING

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The same that obviously belongs to the French vice-champions of the world. And here the music changes, because good news arrives. “I found both Giroud and Hernandez well. The rest allowed them to get over the disappointment, they’ve returned well both mentally and physically and they’re available. Above all, they were very happy to be back and this is an important factor.” It is therefore easy to predict both owners. The speech on De Ketelaere is different, after the great disappointment in Qatar. “His difficulties also derive from the fact that he didn’t do a good preparation in the summer due to the long transfer. Now I see him growing and therefore I expect improvements.” Pioli, however, does not like to talk too long about the singles, and therefore is keen to underline general concepts to be applied to the current season. “We made history by winning something very important last year but to stay there, in history, we need to continue to win something this year too. And we are very hungry. I was watching a report on Leao: many goals, many assists, but titles won? One”. The message is all too clear: you are good, indeed very good, but the bulletin board is almost empty and the most suitable place to improve your career is here with us. Finally, a tactical hint: “Finally we’re back to playing. In this period we’ve focused a lot on some situations that we’ve noticed could be improved. There are five, one of which concerns compactness. As for the mental aspect, I don’t have any doubt about the team: I trust my players a lot.”