Gabriele Cioffi sat down with the media on Friday to discuss AC Milan's visit to Bluenergy Stadium.
The coach began by dismissing suggestions he and his team may be distracted by transfer rumours, before offering his view on Saturday's opponents.
“I'm not distracted by the transfer market because my players aren't. The players all seem focused and keen to prove themselves
“Milan aren't a team that press you very high but they don't pen themselves into their area either. We'll need to find a halfway solution.
“They're a very good team, a bit short in defence but they have have plenty of quality to make up for it. It's going to be a difficult game with very little margin for error.
“Our win in the reverse fixture is in the past now. Our current goal is to make the club, city and fans proud of us.
Cioffi then commented on who might and might not feature in the game.
“Martin Payero has recovered but Keinan Davis has a strain and won't be involved.
“Maduka Okoye will start in goal but my opinion of Marco Silvestri hasn't changed in the slightest.
“Jordan Zemura has had a second week of training. I want to see more quality and determination from him. He's getting back to his best.
“I'm sure Hassane Kamara will have a great game. I expect a convincing performance from him – and all the others.
“I'm really happy with Roberto Pereyra playing in the hole. I'll have a decision to make when it comes to playing with two strikers, but that's not for now.”
The boss ended with his thoughts on Sandi Lovric who weighed in with a goal and three assists in his last three matches, new signing Lautaro Giannetti and Gerard Deulofeu, who is yet to feature this season due to injury.
“Lovric has had competition and has raised his game to the max as a result.
“Lautaro Giannetti is in better shape than I thought. He's looked good and very determined. He'll make us stronger in defence. I think he's ready, not for 90 minutes yet but he can give his all for half an hour.
“We have three top-class players in this team: Florian Thauvin, Tucu [Pereyra] and Geri. They're top players at Udinese and they would be in any team in the world. Geri is finding it hard not being involved and I can understand. He's not on holiday. He's training hard. We have a little bet on that I think I'll win this weekend. He's a smart, sensitive lad and a top professional. His team-mates and I are right behind him.”