Torino head coach Roberto D’Aversa believes that his side deserved at least a draw against AC Milan after a gutsy performance.
Milan went into the game against Torino in the unusual position of being in third place after Napoli’s win over Cagliari saw them jump into second. They were made to fight very hard for the three points against Torino on Saturday night, but ultimately got them after edging a five-goal thriller.
Strahinja Pavlovic opened the scoring with a wonder-goal from over 25 yards out, but Simeone equalised for the away side. Adrien Rabiot and Youssouf Fofana scored within a few minutes to make it 3-1, and that rendered Vlasic’s late penalty a mere consolation for the Granata.
D’Aversa spoke to DAZN and in a post-match press conference after the defeat at San Siro against AC Milan. His comments were relayed by MilanNews, and have been translated below.
How do you feel after a game like that?
“In the first half, we deserved to go back to the dressing room with a different scoreline. We had several chances, and Maignan did well to ensure that didn’t happen.
“Then there were those initial seven minutes of the second half, when they didn’t communicate their change of system to us, which put us in difficulty. A team has to know how to suffer and not concede two goals, even though we deserved a draw in the second half.
“In those circumstances, if we’d only conceded one goal, we probably could have gotten the game back. The only disappointment is the result; I have nothing else to reproach the lads for. I’m especially sorry for them. Credit to Milan for winning the match, but my lads made me proud tonight.”
How did you manage to transform a team in disarray into a combative one in 25 days?
“I don’t have a magic wand. The only thing I’ve done with the staff is work on a team with great potential, with strong players. I’ve tried to restore their confidence. We just focused on working every day, and that’s what we’re doing. The match is a consequence.”
What were your thoughts on the defensive department?
“We conceded several goals, but it’s also true that today, in the first 15 minutes of the second half, we threw away a game that, in terms of numbers, showed us having outperformed Milan.
“When you put in a performance like that, with ball possession and chances created, you have to think about the improvements you need to make to return home with a positive result accompanied by these numbers.
“I’ve seen several Milan games here at home, and in my opinion, very few have put in a performance like that against them.”
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Did the change in system from Milan throw you off?
“I tried to tell the lads in the first half that Milan had changed their playing system. But it’s not the formation that determines the result, you just have to know how to read things.
“If we look back at the two goals we conceded, we could have done better. Thanks to Maignan, Milan get the result.”
Overall, are you happy?
“Playing at San Siro is normal for Torino, but doing it the way we did tonight is not.”
