Stefano Pioli was understandably pleased with Milan claiming all three points against Hellas Verona last night, even if the performance could have been better. As he confirmed, the formation was a last-minute change.
The Rossoneri lined up with a 3-4-3 instead of the usual 4-3-3 formation and that certainly made the game quite physical. Rafael Leao scored the opening goal early and from there on, it was a battle on the pitch.
Speaking to MilanTV (see video below), Pioli shared his thoughts on the hard-fought win and also confirmed that the formation change was done at the last minute. He also revealed what Reijdners and Musah told him after the game.
On the late formation change…
“Until Thursday, we had prepared to play with our usual system, then yesterday we found out that Calabria and Theo couldn’t start. So with a lack of full-backs, we decided to go with a back three. We worked on it for half a training session, but I think we were set up well.
“We tried to play good football. We were playing against an in-form side, a physical and an aggressive side, so we couldn’t always play slick football today.
On Kjaer and Florenzi…
“They are certainly leaders in this group, both when they play and when they don’t play as much. They are smart players who have been around for a while and know the mechanisms, as well as how to keep the spirits up. They are great players too, not just good people.”
On Leao…
“This is a good group, but one that can make mistakes. We have made mistakes and we will make more, but we will always support each other. We don’t do it with words but with a good attitude and with our actions. We all wanted Rafa to captain the side, he gave the response that was needed but we had no doubts.”
On Bartesaghi…
“I’m happy for him because he worked really hard with us in the summer. He got his chance and took it, he will get more.”
On the new signings…
“The lads are settling in well but the process isn’t done yet. At the end of the game, Tijjani and Yunus told me ‘Gaffer, it’s tough in Italy, it’s so hard to beat your man because they are so aggressive and physical’. These difficulties can be overcome, they will grow with every game. They need more time to understand the system.”
Milan will take on Cagliari next, scheduled for Wednesday evening, and they will be looking to grab another three points. Most likely, there will be some rotation for that game as well.
Please Pioli I know your trying but let’s actualize this two formation throughout this season it help all our players to mature fast use to game and be dominant that’s is the 4-4-2/4-2-3-1 all together now in the 4-2-3-1since maignan is absent
M.sportiello
Calabria Kjaer tomori Hernandez
Krunic, rejnder
Chukwueze musah leao
Noah Okafor
Now in the 4-4-2
M.sportiello
Florenzi thiaw tomori Bartasaghi
Romero Loftus cheek rejnder pulisic
Jovic, Geroud
It will help us sometimes you can start with 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 it will Acmilan very well with our deep pressing we are used to.
All our new signing are not use to serieA
They need to be physically feet, and know how difficult to beat defense not only with skill but speed and shot on goal, because our signing are always waiting for the referee to favor them not knowing, that they needed to apply strength. Then to much of foreign player is not helping the team the Italian fire is not there.