Stefano Pioli revealed he showed his AC Milan players an interview with the late basketball great Kobe Bryant to try and inspire them to the Scudetto. The Rossoneri went within one point of clinching the Serie A title with a 2-0 win over Atalanta at the San Siro on Sunday, thanks to second-half goals from Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez. Boasting a head-to-head advantage over Inter, the Rossoneri will be confirmed as champions if they avoid defeat when they travel to Sassuolo for their final Serie A match of the season next Sunday. Inter kept their hopes of retaining their crown alive with a 3-1 victory at Cagliari and take on Sampdoria are home next weekend. Pioli explained how he is trying to keep the players focused, including showing them words from NBA legend Bryant.
āIt’s been a year that the fans excite me with their affection,ā he told DAZN. āHow am I living these weeks? In a normal way, because I see the right attitude and the attention you need. And I see my players focused and serene. āI showed them the interview in which Kobe Bryant said that at 2-0 the work is not finished… and it must also apply to us. We remain focused and determined, there is still a week left. I’ve forbidden everyone to make plans for tonight.ā Atalanta kept Milan honest in the contest, having nine shots in the second half as they tried to get back into it, but the leaders stood firm. āI am very satisfied because we played against a strong team, conceding little,” said Pioli. āWe were able to find solutions and create spaces.
