AC Milan dropped more points in the battle for the top four as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bologna, but the main element of the game seemed to be yet more anger at officials.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanNews) writes how Milan were forced to settle for a point at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara but they were let off the hook by Inter, who lost at home to Monza and therefore went two points behind their city rivals.
Pioli decided to rest a lot of his key starters such as Rafael Leao, Olivier Giroud and Theo Hernandez and gave starts to players like Aster Vranckx, Tommaso Pobega, Charles De Ketelaere, Fode Ballo-Toure and Alessandro Florenzi.
However, even the big names that came on during the second half could not drag Milan towards three points that would have been huge in the top four battle and for morale ahead of Tuesday’s second leg against Napoli.
There was a lot of anger aimed at the referee Massa and the VAR chief Di Bello after they ignored a stamp from Soumaoro on Rebic in the area in the first half. In the second half, the ball hit Soumaoro’s hand in the area, causing the officiating performance to be branded a ‘disaster’.
Pioli did excellent job for now.
Just remember poor results in friendly matches and 2 start of 2023. He changed to 3 man in defence with young Thiaw. And before games against Tottenham, Milan lost supercoppa, blasts against Lazio, Sassuolo and lost against Inter etc… Then they lost Fiorentina and Udinese, but still managed to beat Napoli at home at champions league. Before that Milan couldn’t beat at home Napoli for many games.
Next one is crucial game. If Milan pass Napoli, that is 20 million euros win worth. If not, team can focus on last 8 games where Milan already show that this year can win anyone but also can lose against everyone.
Hay Milan are the fans happy with this season’s results?
Thinking back on the games against Fiorentina, Udinese, Sassuolo, Inter to names a few when dropping vital points and trophy against Inter has this been good enough for Pioli success to stay on?
Milan must be satisfied with being second best in Italy and Europe
One can blame the referees how much they want but the fact is that Milan were sleeping in the beginning, Pioli fielded too many garbage guys and made idiotic substitutions (e.g. we’re chasing the winning goal and he introduces a CB to CB change) and Diaz missed an empty net by not hitting the ball at all.
Aim you enery somewhere else than blaming the referees. It’s pathetic and will never look good or help anyone. Just look at Napoli fans’ law suit against UEFA. Embarrassing.
*Aim your energy
Different case. Napoli fans are in denial for Anguissa red card and Napoli should be punish with a pinalty after Lobotka brought down Krunic and Alexis.
On the other hand, Milan DESERVED to get two pinalty after Rebic foot got stomp and Soumaoro clear handsball. But again, the referee doesn’t even check VAR.