Napoli boss Rudi Garcia was happy with the fight that his side showed as they came from two goals down to rescue a draw at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona last night.
Milan threw away a great chance to get back to winning ways against Napoli, drawing 2-2 after Olivier Giroud’s returned to haunt Napoli as he scored a first-half brace which put them in a very commanding position.
The lead evaporated in what was a collapse at the start of the second half as Matteo Politano and Giacomo Raspadori each scored with scorching shots – the latter a free-kick – to bring the home side level.
Napoli did go down to 10 men in the closing stages with Natan shown a second yellow card, but the Rossoneri were unable to force a winner and the points were shared.
Garcia was interviewed by DAZN immediately after what was a compelling yet chaotic game in Naples, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
How do you assess the draw?
“It’s always better to finish 2-2 after being 2-0 down than the other way around, which is normal. But it seems like a fair draw to me… Milan’s first half, ours in the second half. We believed in it, we believed in our qualities and we reopened the match. At 2-1 everything was possible.
“Then you also need luck. With ten against eleven we had the chance to win with Kvara, instead the ball didn’t want to go in, while it went in for Giroud’s first. Well done to the boys anyway because Milan are a great team and in the second half we showed that we’re no different.”
Why did you change systems at half-time, going with two up front?
“We changed the formation because in football there is not only 4-3-3. We have not only a good striker like Simeone but also a player who moves well between the lines in Raspadori. We needed an extra striker to pressing higher, with two strikers it’s easier.
“The midfielders are helped by the wingers, we still have to improve in this but Kvara and Politano were good. It’s a shame that Natan got the second yellow, partly out of naivety, but we finished well even with ten men. The team has pride and I like that.”
Matteo Politano scored again and has had a great start to the season…
“He is a player that I like because he is very intelligent and one of the few left-handed players we have. On the right lane he has a strong bond with Di Lorenzo, from a footballing point of view. I know that last year Napoli’s left flank was their strong point, this year we can count on the two wings.
“Matteo needed confidence and continuity. Our wingers are decisive, which is why he and Kvaratskhelia play. The others will have to be good at being decisive even in a short time. now Matteo has done everything right, I will be a policeman and make sure he doesn’t fall asleep.”
Will we see Napoli more often with a system other than a 4-3-3?
“Let’s see who I have available. We are waiting to find Osimhen again, today Anguissa returned who had few minutes and he found some again. This team must be good at playing multiple game systems.”
Milan should have had 4-0 in the first half. Some players missed chances to win the game and again Leao is the main theme in comments, not those players. Interesting.
Here’s a coach talking about tactical changes at half time because his team was down 2-0.
Here’s a coach who understands that good and intelligent players should be given confidence and continuity.
Pioli out!