Daniele Bonera defended his side’s performance as Milan Futuro suffered their fifth home defeat of the season last night, losing 2-0 to Pineto.
We did a bonus podcast picking apart the Futuro’s struggles this season on Friday, and it was instantly made to look quite silly when the Rossoneri prevailed 2-0 against Perugia on Sunday, obtaining only their second league win of the season.
Kevin Zeroli was the hero as he scored a stunning bicycle kick, and it took the team out of the relegation zone. However, last night’s defeat at home against Pineto – another game they did not score in – provided a reminder of the battle that awaits to achieve survival.
The head coach Bonera spoke at a press conference following the latest defeat and his comments were relayed by MilanPress.
How do you judge that defeat?
“Right off the bat, I can say that we played well in terms of ball control in the first 45 minutes. Then their goal changed the game, I can say that we are finding few solutions in the offensive phase, we are working.
“The path is positive, I am already thinking about the Pontedera game. We knew that we could run into an up and down path, it is part of the boys’ journey.
“After the victory in Perugia, we were obviously motivated and mentally prepared to face this game in the best possible way. As far as I am concerned, our daily work does not change, I am already charged up for the match with Pontedera.”
Andrei Coubis got sent off late on. There have been too many red cards…
“I think that today’s sending off with the unbalanced team is a red card that comes from the game situation, I don’t want to blame anyone. I’m more angry about the cards that came from protests, today’s is a game situation that anyone who has played football knows can happen.”
How do you judge Alex Jimenez’s path?
“I think he’s a player who can play anywhere. Obviously we’re trying to help him along the way because we know it’s not easy. Today I had a need on the left due to some physical problems and he had played there on other occasions, he made himself available and in the first half he played well.
“In the second half I had to change something tactically, his natural role is full-back, we know he can do it well. He got a yellow card and I preferred to replace him.”
Raveyre made a mistake for the first goal…
“A mistake in play, it can happen to anyone. You will never hear me blame a player for a mistake.”
Did it remind you of the first team’s defeat to Napoli?
“Yes, in fact there could be some similarities, it’s a shame about the result of both teams. I think that when you have a proactive football you should be able to combine it with effectiveness, we didn’t manage to do it today, but I think that our path and that of the first team is the right one.”
You, sir, were a joke as a player and now you’re a joke as a coach.