Pioli: ‘I knew I would feel emotional’ on return to AC Milan

Stefano Pioli confirms he feels ‘emotional’ on the return to San Siro, as AC Milan fans hailed the Fiorentina coach, and explains his unusual tactical choices.

It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games on the Liveblog.

This is inevitably not a normal fixture for Pioli, who spent five years with this as his home, winning the Scudetto in 2022 and marking it with a tattoo on his arm.

It is also special because tomorrow will be his 60th birthday and the Milan fans are still singing the classic ‘Pioli’s On Fire’ chant.

“I knew that I would feel emotional here, as what we experienced together in this stadium was exceptional. However, I need to stay concentrated on my team, as I feel we can get something this evening,” Pioli told DAZN Italia.

The Viola are already feeling intense pressure after a disastrous start to the campaign, scraping only three draws and as many defeats in Serie A.

Surprisingly, he has left Albert Gudmundsson on the bench, starting Jacopo Fazzini, Nicolò Fagioli, Rolando Mandragora and Hans Nicolussi Caviglia together.

“This is the idea, to add an extra midfielder and limit Milan’s attacks, so providing us with a little more cover, then once we get the ball back, with a bit more quality to push it forward. These are the choices we worked on throughout the break for international duty and how we will start this match.”

Moise Kean has shaken off a knock sustained on international duty with Italy and will start, leaving only Tariq Lamptey, Amir Richardson and Christian Kouame on the treatment table.

“It’s true Moise had this sprain, but he has been training with the team, is in good shape and we’re not running any particular risks. We also have other strong strikers who we can call upon during the match,” concluded Pioli.