Midfielder Ismael Bennacer has claimed that AC Milan were guilty of dropping their intensity in Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to Torino.
The Rossoneri slipped to their third loss in five games this season as the Granata came from behind to beat them at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin.
Krzysztof Piatek had given Milan a first half lead as he converted a penalty following a foul on Rafael Leao, but things fell apart in the second half as Andrea Belotti scored a quickfire brace.
The result means that Giampaolo’s side have scored just one goal from open play in five games and sit just one point above Sunday’s opponents Fiorentina – who are in 17th.
Bennacer – starting only his second game of the season – told Sky Italia that Milan took their foot off the gas and paid the price.
“We were in control of the game, football is made up of details,” he said, via MilanNews.it.
“We had to be more concentrated, we missed so many opportunities, then they scored the goals. When you lower the pace in football, it’s difficult.
“Sirigu had a great game but we have to be hungrier in front of the goal. We have strong strikers, we had to close this match as soon as we had the chance.”
On being substituted off, the Algerian understood the coach’s thinking.
“I got a yellow card, I’m coming back, I lack a bit of pace. The coach made a change to let an attacker in, I think he wanted to score.”
He also spoke to Milan TV about his time with the club so far: “I’m learning and I’m growing. I’m happy, but we have to win.
“The match against Fiorentina must be faced with the same spirit, we must be together until the end but we must take the points home. Our fans are important.”
There was controversy surrounding Belotti’s equaliser, with appeals for a foul in the build-up and a red card shown to Pepe Reina for good measure.
“I saw that Calhanoglu had the ball and I think it was a foul. They then scored on the restart. Torino has some great strikers.”
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