AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli hopes the recent appointment of senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic can provide the spark to help his side bridge the gap to Serie A’s top two ahead of their trip to bottom club Salernitana.
Pioli’s men go into the game five points behind second-placed Juventus but buoyed by the arrival of former hero Ibrahimovic, who is expected to be present in Salerno.
Pioli told a press conference: “He’s the same Zlatan. He is approaching a different role but he is curious and determined.
“I saw a motivated Ibra and it was an interesting day. He is an added value for me and the club, but he has great experience and he is a symbol of those who challenge the challengers.”
Pioli’s men still find themselves amid a mounting injury crisis having lost both Tommaso Pobega and Noah Okafor to muscle injuries during the comfortable weekend win over Monza.
“We’re still in an emergency situation that we want to normalise as much as possible,” added Pioli.
“We’re working to return to normality. We have a busy few weeks ahead of us, and the aim is to get as many players back as possible. We’re working on certain situations, especially on an individual level, to improve everyone’s condition.”
Pioli revealed that Ismael Bennacer will play from the start as he continues his return following a seven-month lay-off with an ankle ligament injury.
However, there remains some concern in Milan over Bennacer’s inclusion in the provisional Algeria squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
“He’s now in better shape and will start in Salerno, and he will remain on the pitch for as long as he has the energy needed to help us,” added Pioli.
“As regards his national team, we’re not the ones who decide the calendar. If he accepts the call-up to play for Algeria, he’ll take part in the African Nations Cup. It will be up to us to find solutions.”
Bottom club Salernitana head into the game on the back of three straight defeats including a 4-1 loss at Atalanta on Monday night that kept their points for the season in single figures.
They are managed by Filippo Inzaghi, who made over 200 appearances for Milan between 2001 and 2012, and Pioli is relishing another meeting with a man so steeped in the club’s history.
“Pippo made history with AC Milan,” said Pioli. “He gave a lot to the club, won many titles, and entered the Rossoneri fans’ hearts.
“He knows that it’s normal to experience difficult moments in our profession. I wish him a lot of luck, even if we’ll be opponents tomorrow and looking to get the better of one another.”
Montero to coach Juventus until end of the season
Paolo Montero will take charge of Serie A side Juventus for the remainder of the season following the dismissal of Massimiliano Allegri.
Juventus sacked their former head coach Allegri on Friday over his behaviour during and after this week's Coppa Italia final in which he was sent off, ending a long period of speculation over his future.
Montero, who coaches Juventus' Under-19s team, will take charge for their remaining two matches, at Bologna on Monday and against Monza at home on May 26.
The 52-year-old Uruguayan won four Serie A titles playing for Juventus as a defender from 1996 to 2005 and will take his first training session on Sunday.
"Paolo is a Juventus legend, firstly on the pitch, and someone who has long been a bearer of the club's DNA on the bench," Juve said in a statement.
"Best of luck, Paolo!"
Juve are assured of Champions League qualification but could still finish between third and fifth in Serie A this season.
Guardiola: Foden can still get better after Player of the Year award
Pep Guardiola thinks Phil Foden can still get better, after the 23-year-old winning the Premier League’s Player of the Year.
Foden has been a pivotal part of City’s title challenge this season, scoring 17 goals and providing eight assists in the top-flight in 2023-24.
It is the youngster’s most prolific scoring season for City, while only six players have bettered Foden’s goal haul in the Premier League.
When asked about the strides that Foden has made this season, leading him to the award, Guardiola praised the England international’s influence on the squad.
"Obviously, he makes a step forward as a football player. In terms of minutes or time, but he's decisive in winning games," Guardiola said.
"Maybe before it was a glimpse of action, but now it's consistent. That is the truth, but they still have a margin. Sometimes his game is overexcited, it's over, and you have to be more calm because his excitement he has for himself, but we'll have question of time, but this season has been really, really important. Really, really important."
Foden has bettered his tally of 11 goals from last season and leads City’s squad for chances created this campaign with 68.
"He's moving forward, but I had the feeling he can be better, and I think he can do it because I've said many times, that he loves football," Guardiola added.
"He enjoys being on the pitch, and I think the feeling doesn't like when you have the day off.
"He likes to be in the training session doing less or more and I had the feeling it still can be better."
Manchester City can win a fourth-consecutive Premier League title on Sunday against West Ham, if they can match or better Arsenal's result.
Objectives met: Shabazz pleased with Golden Jaguars' showing despite losses to T&T
Despite losing both friendly encounters to Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana senior men’s Head coach Jamaal Shabazz says their objectives were met, as the players that made the trip to the twin island republic gained invaluable experience that will assist to shape their future in the sport.
The Golden Jaguars lost 1-2 and 0-2 to Angus Eve’s Soca Warriors at the Crawford Stadium, in Port of Spain, but for Shabazz, the fixtures served their purpose of gauging the readiness of players, who competed in recently concluded Round One of the KFC Elite League Season, especially with the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers scheduled to get under way next month.
“We did not win, but a lot of questions were answered as to who is ready to move into our full international squad. We achieved our other objectives. We got higher level match practice for the likes of Daniel Wilson, Kelsey Benjamin, Curtez Kellman, Colin Nelson and Ryan Hackett, all of whom travel with our first team. We gave valuable exposure to players like Marcus Tudor, Simeon Moore, Chris Macey and Stephen McDonald, just to name a few,” Shabazz shared.
“It is clear that player for player we were able to match our opponents. Some boys gave a good account of themselves, and some were a bit nervous. Most importantly, the lads would have learnt a few lessons for their future, like the margin for error at international level is small and the need for more composure in front of goal,” he added.
Aside from those he mentioned, Shabazz also had three overseas-based players from Canada, France and the United States, in his 24-member squad, and by all indications, a few more might be assessed, as the tactician prepares to select his final squad for the qualifiers.
Guyana will contest Group D of the qualifiers, alongside Panama, Montserrat, Belize and Nicaragua. They are set to open against Panama in Panama City on June 6, followed by the Belize encounter on June 11 in Barbados.
Shabazz expressed gratitude for the continued support in gifting local-based players the opportunity to showcase their potential, and challenge for spots in the final squad.
“I must thank the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Football Federation for enabling this exposure for the home-based players. At least twice a year we should get these types of matches for home-based players to develop,” Shabazz noted.
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