Gian Piero Gasperini credited AC Milan for putting his side in difficulty, while also suggesting that the penalty decision Atalanta got was the right decision.
Milan were held to a 1-1 draw by Atalanta at San Siro on Sunday night, letting a lead slip and conceding yet another penalty. The game could hardly have started better for the Rossoneri when Rafael Leao fired them into the lead inside the opening few minutes.
However, Atalanta pegged the Rossoneri back from the penalty spot as Olivier Giroud was penalised after a VAR check for a high boot inside the box, and Teun Koopmeiners converted it.
The slow-motion replays cast strong doubt on the decision, mainly because Giroud definitely did not touch Holm’s face with his boot and there are big question marks about whether he even catches him at all.
Gasperini spoke to the reporters who gathered in the conference room at San Siro to give his post-match assessments, and his comments were relayed by MilanNews.
Is it one point gained rather than two points dropped?
“Yes yes, a very difficult point, a predominantly defensive performance. When you come out of these matches with a point you are satisfied, because the point rewards if not the quality of the performance, but at least the attention and determination of the team.”
What did Milan give you the most difficulty in?
“Milan are a great team, with very high levels and they put us in difficulty. In the other matches against them we didn’t have this type of difficulty, while tonight we suffered from their strength. Then with our teeth we took away this point, but we had a strong team against us.”
What did you prepare for?
“We worked a lot on Theo and Leao, but then after three minutes Leao passed between the two and messes everything up for you. But we weren’t able to create play, nor recover the ball, we suffered their game.”
Why did you replace De Ketelaere?
“He played very well here in the Coppa Italia. I took him off because we hadn’t done much attack in attack. We have had few games like today.”
What are your thoughts on the penalty?
“The penalty is one of those penalties, there are now many. Orsato went to the VAR. They are those penalties that the referee doesn’t see, the fans don’t see, then you go to the VAR and they see them. It was one of them.
“They are of the new generation of penalties that TV likes so much, because it seems like the football is better. We are in great credit, even against Milan I must say…”
Giroud hit him in the hand and he was holding his head
Goat