AC Milan president Paolo Scaroni spoke to reporters on the day of the game against Stade Rennais, once again reiterating his happiness with Stefano Pioli as the head coach.
Milan take on their Ligue 1 opponents at San Siro tonight on a good run of form in the league, but they face a side who are equally feeling confident given that they have won every game so far in 2024.
When the draw was made Rennes were hovering above the relegation zone with three wins in 17 games, but since then they have been on a real surge, winning eight games in a row and looking a formidable opposition.
However, it could be argued that this is the perfect bout for the Rossoneri to show their intentions for the competition. Pioli admitted in his pre-match press conference that the game would not be easy, but if Milan were to go through, they could be one of the options to win the tournament.
As is customary before every European game played at San Siro, Milan officials are having a UEFA lunch with their Rennes counterparts and upon his arrival Scaroni answered questions from the media. His comments were relayed by MilanNews.
Your feelings about the game this evening?
“I’m anxious as always, but what do we want to do? But we’re playing well, we’re winning, so I have a degree of optimism.”
Is the Europa League important for Milan, from an economic, financial, footballing and managerial point of view?
“It’s very important. We’ve never won the UEFA Cup among other things. Then there are teams, like Liverpool. It won’t be an easy path but it’s very important for us, and Pioli also confirmed it yesterday.”
Is there any news on the 18-team Serie A proposal and how the situation is evolving?
“The theme is all about the number of matches we play. We must limit the number of matches to safeguard the health of the players who are also our assets.
“Since international competitions are increasing, and now there is the big news of FIFA, but the Champions League has also increased the number of matches. In the end, if we add up the cups, national teams and championships, we play too many matches.
“I personally think that this is an inevitable path, it will happen because of something fatal. I don’t forget that then with the 18 teams it was the heroic moment of Italian football.”
What about Urbano Cairo’s dig when he spoke about the ‘Superleghina’ in relation to an 18-team Serie A?
“I didn’t understand what Superleghina has to do with the 18-team Serie A. The next time I see Cairo I’ll have it explained to me.”
Any word on Pioli’s future?
“We are very happy to have him on the bench. Furthermore, we are also doing well so it is an inappropriate question.”
And the new stadium?
“We don’t have everything against San Siro. If I could renovate San Siro and Milan and Inter move to a stadium 30km away for a year, I would do it with pleasure.
“However, I don’t understand how something like this is possible and having once, twice a week, sixty thousand people on a construction site. At the moment, frankly, I don’t see this hypothesis.
“San Donato? Things are taking their course. Everything is fine.”
