Cagliari boss Nicola praises ‘aggressive’ Milan: “They can hurt us at any moment” | OneFootball

Cagliari coach Davide Nicola is expecting a very tough examination from AC Milan at San Siro, who he believes will be full of positive energy.

Sérgio Conceição mania has swept through Milan after he became the coach to have taken the least amount of games (2) to win a trophy in club history, counting all competitions since 1929-20. The Rossoneri lifted the Supercoppa Italiana – their 50th major honour – in Saudi Arabia.

Not only that, but the way that they did it was quite extraordinary. They came from behind against Juventus in the semi-final to win 2-1, and then went one better by coming from 2-0 down to beat city rivals Inter in the final, with a 93rd-minute winner too.

However, the hard work must continue because there is a job to do in Conceicao’s first game at San Siro. Milan know this all too well given that they drew 3-3 with Cagliari immediately after the 3-1 win over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Nicola spoke to reporters at his pre-match press conference on the eve of the trip over the Tyrrhenian Sea to San Siro to face Milan, with his comments relayed by MilanPress.

“The exams never end. In the second half of the season, we must never lack enthusiasm, knowing that no matter who the opponent is, we must perform well and take home the result,” he said.

“We always want more, we have shown that we want to compete with everyone. The points from the first half of the season seem like few, but we have improved on last year’s.

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“Milan are a great team with a very rich squad, fighting to get at least to the Champions League. What we saw in the Supercoppa shows that they are in line with their objectives. I saw an aggressive team, especially in the second half, that knows how to play vertically.

“It is a team against which we must be able to do what we are already doing, trying to be aware that they can hurt us at any moment, we will have to move from one phase to the other with great ardour.

“Do I expect them to be tired? No, they are a strong team used to playing every three days. But what interests me is our desire to get the performance and the result.”

The Cagliari coach went on to speak about some individuals within the team who have contributed for the Sardinians in their quest to achieve survival in the top flight.

“Caprile is a skilled goalkeeper both between the posts and in building out and is inclined to attack loose balls in the area. Scuffet has found the right crowning in a great team, he gave me a lot and I think his best version has left.

“Mina has done some work on his own, let’s see if we can call him up.If he won’t be there, Palomino and Wieteska are ready. If the same players always play it’s because they have provided ample guarantees.

“Prati? The identity of the team was found with eighteen players. Marin and Deiola have also played a lot. In the last period Makoumbou and Adopo have played, also for the intention of the club to enhance young players. Everyone has given their contribution.

“I like Prati a lot, and he knows it, but I have five players and I have to choose two. It’s difficult to give the same amount of playing time to everyone. We will have to evaluate the best solution.

“Obert has already shown great value. He is an international and a great player. The initial idea of ​​the club was to maintain a group and enhance young people like him, Zortea, Luvumbo.”