Stefano Pioli says Milan will not have it easy this season
Stefano Pioli has refuted claims that Milan are favorites to win the Serie A championship again this year, asserting that the Rossoneri will find it difficult to replicate their 86-point total from the previous campaign in a “very competitive” league.
Milan won the Scudetto after an 11-year wait when they beat out rivals Inter in a tight struggle for the trophy in May. Last week, Milan opened the new season with a thrilling 4-2 victory against Udinese.
However, a number of teams have been predicted to challenge Milan for the Scudetto, including Inter, Juventus, Napoli, and Roma – all of whom also started the season with victories – and Pioli anticipates a difficult battle.
“It will be such a balanced championship that it will be difficult to score last year’s points. Difficulties will come for everyone, even with teams that you don’t expect.
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“There are seven or eight strong teams, a very balanced and competitive league. One game at a time we must continue on our path and work to become more and more competitive.
“We are strong, here we all have to feel important, but nobody is indispensable. What is indispensable is the mentality and the work.
“The winner will be whoever is the most consistent in results and performances. You have to play with intensity and quality.
“Head-to-head matches are important and last year we won precisely because we scored so many points with the big teams.”
