CM: Pioli channels Gattuso by sending warning to squad after Roma loss

By Oliver Fisher -

AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has drawn inspiration from one of his predecessors in Gennaro Gattuso to try and turn the team around, a report claims.

The Rossoneri have had a torrid start to the season, losing five of their opening nine games and taking just one point from six available under Pioli so far following Marco Giampaolo’s sacking.

We saw a different side to Pioli in his pre-SPAL press conference as he openly admitted that certain players must do more in order for things at the club to turn around, including Lucas Paqueta and Rafael Leao.

According to a report from Calciomercato.com, after the carelessness that cost two points against Lecce and the error-ridden defeat in Rome, Pioli has ‘raised his voice’ for the first time.

The 53-year-old has told his players to take greater responsibility for their failings so far this term, to respect the shirt and to play with more intensity, starting on Thursday night.

With Lazio, Juventus and Napoli on the horizon before the international break, the worry is that Milan are lacking both in concentration and leadership, and Pioli has consequently told the players to step up to the cause.

The report goes on to add that Pioli’s ‘harsh warning’ to the squad has been almost Gattuso-esque, and if the players thought they would be getting a coach who also tries to be their best friend, this may be an eye-opener.

Pioli’s mission is to raise Milan both in terms of performance and subsequently the league standing, and he will do so how he sees fit.


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Tags AC Milan Gennaro Gattuso Stefano Pioli
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