Pioli announces Liao’s readiness to face Inter

Milan coach Stefano Pioli said today, Monday, that striker Rafael Liao may be fit to face Inter Milan, as he will provide a big boost to his team, which hopes to come back from two goals behind in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final.

The 23-year-old Portuguese winger, Liao, missed the first leg, which ended in a 2-0 loss, and also missed the sudden defeat against Spezia in the Italian League on Saturday due to a thigh injury he suffered in his team’s victory over Lazio in the league earlier this month.

Liao played a pivotal role with Milan this season, scoring 13 goals and providing ten assists in all competitions.

“He has improved. Like (Raddy) Krunic and (Junior) Messias,” Pioli said, after being asked about Liao before the rematch tomorrow, Tuesday.

He added, “Everything is going well. All players will participate in today’s training session, in preparation for tomorrow’s match.”

Pioli said he was confident in Milan’s ability to win back the result at the San Siro stadium after last week’s defeat in the first-leg match, where the team conceded two goals in the first ten minutes.

Milan, who won the title seven times, has not qualified for the Champions League final since winning the tournament in 2007.