AC Milan head coach Marco Giampaolo looked for the positives after Sunday’s win over Hellas Verona, but acknowledged there is a lot to work on.
The Rossoneri ran out 1-0 winners in their third game of the season in Serie A against Hellas Verona at the Stadio MarcAntonio Bentegodi on Sunday night.
It was far from easy work for Milan despite Mariusz Stepinski’s first-half red card on home debut, but Krzysztof Piatek netted the decisive goal after the break.
Hakan Calhanoglu’s shot was adjudged to have hit the hand of Koray Gunter and a spot kick was awarded, which the Poland international dispatched to score his first goal of the season.
There was late drama as Piatek saw a second goal disallowed for offside and Davide Calabria was shown red for a clothesline on Matteo Pessina – who was offside in the build-up – but Milan held on for a vital three points.
The team has moved on to six points from nine ahead of next week’s derby against Inter, and Giampaolo is seeing the positives from a tough win.
“The team is working well, is finding its balance and I know there are some strengths and weaknesses, but I work to improve the individuals and the teams,” Giampaolo told reporters after the game, as per Football Italia.
“Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, there is no perfect side. I like the effort and passion we put into the game, then errors can happen.
“The team played well in the second half, with the right approach and precision. A team that defends with 10 men in their final third are difficult to break down.
“Verona played their honest defensive game and we were constantly pushing forward. We didn’t do it perfectly and of course there is plenty to work on and improve, but the victory helps us to work.
“I won’t just brush the dust under the carpet, I know full well we need to improve and there are issues we have to deal with.
“I don’t like to improvise, I want my team to have a structure to work on and some guarantees to build on. There are many talented individuals in the side and I still need to get them to fit within the context of the team unit.
“When the opposition is defending in a block, you have to move the ball side to side, tire them out, stretch them and create the spaces.”
READ MORE: Hellas Verona 0-1 Milan – Piatek scores winner in dramatic win with two red cards
