Pioli—’Milan won’t change for Osimhen’
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Victor Osimhen did not feature for Napoli in the first leg after being ruled out due to a thigh injury with the game ending in favour of Milan.
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Stefano Pioli has made it plain that Milan would not adjust their strategy in response to Victor Osimhen or attempt to hold onto their 1-0 lead over Napoli for the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
Pioli insist it will be a mistake to defend a one goal lead
Ismael Bennacer's strike gave the Rossoneri a 1-0 victory in the first leg at San Siro, but as the away goals rule is no longer in effect, the tie will go to extra time if the scores are tied after two legs.
Speaking in a press conference, Pioli said, “It would be a mistake to focus on defending that lead here, definitely.
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“Napoli have not lost at home in the Champions League for a long time, they scored an average of three or four goals in the tournament so far against teams like Liverpool, Ajax, Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt.
“We only have a minimal advantage, we need to play our game as a team and I think control the ball very well when we have it. That will be an important element.
“In both games, and I include the Serie A match, both teams created plenty of chances and caused problems for the opposition, so whoever converts the most will get through. Napoli started much stronger than us at San Siro, so that is a big lesson and we will try to change that tomorrow.”
Osimhen ready for Milan challenge
On April 2, Milan defeated Napoli 4-0, although Osimhen, who missed both the first leg of the quarterfinal and the Serie A loss due to injury, is now healthy and ready to spearhead Napoli's attack on April 3.
Still speaking, he said, “He is such a powerful, impressive and decisive striker, so we take his characteristics into account, but at the same time we have our own way of playing football and we won’t move away from that.
“We saw with previous Napoli games that a lot of it is about knowing the moment to slow down and speed up, and that is even more crucial with a player like Osimhen.”
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