AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli has insisted that his side will strive to ‘take control and attack’ Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League group showdown coming up today, October 5, 2022.
Stefano Pioli, while expecting his Italian team to ‘dominate’ the London club, Chelsea, is under no deception about the motivated and optimistic mood of his opponents led by coach Graham Potter, following Thomas Tuchel’s sacking.
Even though the Rossoneri are cautious of the Blue’s counter-attacks, coach Pioli travels with his squad to Stamford Bridge with the confidence to claim the whole there points as AC Milan will play the London rival Chelsea after 23 years of the last meeting.
AC Milan seems to have the upper hand over Chelsea as they top Group E. The group is a very balanced group after two matches, as AC Milan is top on four points, Dinamo Zagreb has three, RB Salzburg two, and Chelsea only one.
Hence, Graham Potter needs to give his side victory to level up their points from one to four if the Blues want to remain in the Champions League campaign this season.
Ahead of today’s Champions League match between the two giants clubs, Chelsea and AC Milan, Milan’s manager Stefano Pioli told football Italia that his side will gather all the courage and abilities within their reach to defeat Chelsea.
Pioli said: “We want to be competitive, and to do that you have to face every single game to the best of your abilities, trying to give yourself throughout the match,” Pioli told Milan Channel.
“We are aware that we face a big team who won the Champions League two years ago, but we have our own mentality and our way of setting up on the pitch, so we’ll try to do the same tomorrow evening.”
AC Milan will have to struggle hard to achieve their acclaimed victory over Chelsea because of their massive injury crisis that has decimated the Italian squad and some of their senior players are already ruled out due to injury.
Regardless, Pioli believes his team still has quality players that can challenge Graham Potter’s Chelsea and secure an away victory at Stamford bridge.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb was one of the main reasons why the Blues sacked the previous coach Thomas Tuchel and brought in Brighton manager Graham Potter, who has no Champions League experience.
Pioli may pounce on Potter’s lack of European football experience and put up a top performance against the Blues throughout the game.
Pioli asserted that: “Predictions are made on paper, but what happens on the pitch can make for different performances and results. I think the outcome of the Dinamo Zagreb vs. Chelsea result was unexpected to many while playing in the Champions League means you have to put in a top performance throughout the game.”
“Chelsea changed coach and so we’ll face a highly-motivated team. We prepared well, we know how important this match is, but I don’t believe it will be decisive, as the final two group games will be decisive.
“We are still playing in a wonderful atmosphere and want to have our say. We have to be good technically, tactically and in terms of controlling the ball.
“Very simply, either we dominate the game or the other team will dominate us. We want to take control of the match, knowing full well we are up against an opponent with great quality, who have a rapid attacking unit with good technique, so we have to be solid and focused in defence.
“What matters though is that we play with our spirit and try to attack, to be dangerous, because that’s what we can do and what we want to do.”
Oliver Giroud Makes Predictions
In the same vein, former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has made a prediction of the Chelsea vs AC Milan Champions League showdown.
The former Blues and Arsenal superstar will be returning to Stamford Bridge with his new side AC Milan as the Italian champion’s journey to intensify their hold in Group E continues.
Oliver Giroud will be returning to the English capital, a year after former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel allowed the Frenchman to move to the Italian side.
Ahead of the long-awaited clash on Wednesday night, Giroud expects Chelsea to play in an ‘energetic’ and fierce style.
“Chelsea have just one point so far, so they will play aggressively and in an energetic way, aiming for the win, so we expect a tough game,” Giroud told Football Italia.
“I think it’ll be a special game for the team because it’s a great UCL match-up. It’s also personal for me, as I spent nine years in London playing for Arsenal and Chelsea, so I expect it to be a great game.”
Chelsea v AC Milan Champions League clash kicks off at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
