AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli defended the wide-open style of his side, but admitted that they made errors in the defensive phase that cost them dearly.
Milan and Genoa played out a thriller on Sunday evening at San Siro, eventually drawing 3-3 after both teams had given away leads. Genoa went ahead through Mateo Retegui’s penalty, then Alessandro Florenzi equalised before the break.
The away side again went ahead through Caleb Ekuban but Matteo Gabbia and Olivier Giroud scored in quick succession to give the Rossoneri the lead late on in the game.
Despite this they were unable to hold on and end the six-game winless run, with Retegui bundling home from close range inside the final few minutes to earn Gilardino’s side a draw.
Pioli spoke to DAZN after the game to try and assess what was an entertaining game but one that will not exactly leave him happy, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
How do you analyse the game, from an attitude point of view?
“We started badly, the first 15-20 minutes we didn’t have the right consistency. Afterwards we played our game, creating and making a lot of mistakes. It’s not a question of commitment, it’s a question of having taken on a match with great selflessness and great quality, we had also created a lot. Then we conceded a goal that could have been avoided due to how we were in that defensive phase there.”
And the performance overall?
“We delivered a performance but we weren’t able to bring home a victory which would have been very important for the league table, we haven’t won in four games in the league. The fans have chosen this type of protest and we just need to respect them.”
How displeased are you by this situation with the fans?
“We have to be focused to do well until the end. Our fans have been an added value in recent years. They will have their reasons if they chose this protest. We have the qualities to do better, we have the possibility of finishing the season well.”
Today there is little balance between the two phases, with more compact opponents countering easily…
“Against Juve it was a completely different match, we never went behind there. Today we went behind, we tried to recover the ball high and we often succeeded. It’s clear that when you get the timing wrong or your opponents get past you, you risk having a bit of an open field.
“It was a different game that we managed well after the minutes of the first half. Even on the second goal we need to defend better. It’s a shame not to have won because of what my players put on the field.
“In Turin it was a different type of match, today we were forced to play another type of match. If you want to be attacking you take some risks. I would understand your assessment if we had conceded the 3-3 goal in the open field but that’s not the case, we were well placed and that was our mistake.
“I changed formation because my energy was waning, I put in an extra defender but the result wasn’t what I wanted.”
How much did the Roma elimination in the Europa League have a negative impact?
“It made a rightful impact, it was our goal. We could have done better, in those two games we weren’t able to express ourselves and it’s clear that in the final balance of the season there will also be this elimination which will be a negative aspect.”
Leao came off amidst boos…
“When I make the changes I don’t think I’m doing something strong or proving something. Rafa was too little inside the opponent’s area, I needed an external attacker who could do it more and Noah did it. Not all matches are the same and not all performances are of the same level.”
Idiot…..
The fans were at the game. The Curva wasn’t
This is the biggest reason he needs to be replaced. Complacency, and flat out refusal to take any blame and admit when his tactics are wrong. Every. Single. Time. We drop points, his first reaction is to defend his own terrible tactics and decisions. He has never once taken any responsibility, and then seems to double down by refusing to adapt. The Roma games by themselves were painful proof of that.
Couldn’t agree more.
While we are at it we should cash in on Maignan while we can too. Sportiello is just as reliable and a lot less injury prone.
Yes.
Milan’s pioli this season in seri A: 21 win, 7 draw and 6 lost. Do we have any better manager these day like this stats ?? If you watch last night, Milan only need striker no. 9 to kill the game. Milan no need zirkzee. Are zirkzee can do like giroud goal last night ?? Haha..only in your dreams….
fuori
My main issue with the performance yesterday was the lack of concentration. Most players looked like they could not wait for the season to end. Lots of missed passes and a mediocre midfield.
My second issue is Giroud. Its feels like Giroud has checked out over a month and a half ago. He has done amazing things for our club (perhaps much more than we expected from a 37 yr old) but since he announced his departure already, the coach should put him on the bench and play Jovic or Okafor who both have something to prove. At least they both still have some sort of drive.
In terms of this season, the coach gets 50% of the blame and the management gets the rest. Everybody is talking about the coach (who has taken a struggling mid-level team and won the league at a certain stage. I mean dont get me wrong his time is up, but maybe if we purchased quality, experienced players things would have gone differently. No matter what people say, RLC is a substitute, he has always been a sub throughout his career and to play him high up the pitch is and compare him to SMS is a joke. I mean he is useful sometimes but has 0 technical abilities to hold the ball and direct play. Reijnders is good but is fading away and needs time. The rest of the signings – well the stats speak for themselves.
In my opinion, we need experienced players in midfield next season. Not 1 but 2 or 3 even if it means some players will need to leave to make some space. Musah is one of those id like to see the back off. He is not bad but i dont understand why we bought him in the first place. The likes of Jorginho, Thiago Alcantara or even Alan would be a good start (the first 2 are free agents and the latter’s team is struggling) – the other can be William Carvalho or Fofana. We also need a proper AM like Colpani – hell even why not try for Dybala. Problem with most of these players is that they are all injury prone (apart from Colpani). We also need a right back (a proper one).