Stefano Pioli has shared his thoughts on his team’s performance following a goalless draw at home to Bologna, where Milan misfired in their attempt to extend their lead at the top of Serie A.
The Rossoneri failed to find a goal in a 0-0 draw with Bologna, who looked comfortable and defended well, while Milan panicked and snatched at several big chances, seeing their march on second-placed Napoli reduced to just one point.
Speaking to Sky Italia after the match, Pioli acknowledged Milan’s wastefulness in front of goal, particularly when Bologna sat in deep, but insisted they would do better next time out.
On what was missing…
“We weren’t able to find the spark, the decisive play. We had 33 attempts but we faced a team that defended well. We worked well without the ball but we missed our chances with it.”
If the pressure got to them…
“I exclude the mental component, the performance was the right one. There was a lack of quality in the final third. Lately, we have created a lot but finished little. We weren’t under too much pressure. The performance remains but we need to be more composed. I have nothing to say to the team except to be more effective in the box.”
On the difficulties of all the games...
“I expect these difficulties and I expect them for all the teams. This weekend was supposed to be favourable for us but we have decreased our advantage instead of increasing it. It will be a difficult season until the end, against Torino it will be difficult but we have to fight until the end. We have to think about the next game”
On the will to win…
“We always play to win, we played in front of our fans who were fantastic. It’s a missed opportunity and we will try to do better from the next game.”
On Brahim’s game…
“Brahim got on the ball a lot but he was rejected well. In the last minutes, with the entry of Zlatan, we were attracted by the possibility of putting high balls but he was there because there were fewer and fewer minutes left. We had to be more lucid. On the performance, and the desire to win, I have nothing to complain about but we have to do better.”
On the difficulties against the teams that defend…
“I think that Bologna, in the first half, tried to play the game openly and we had counter-attacks. We didn’t take advantage of these situations. It’s true that when the opponents defend low, it becomes difficult but all the games are complicated. Torino will be a difficult opponent because they play an open style with pressure and have stopped Inter and Juventus.”
On the team…
“We are a united team and we are working well. We don’t hold back and we want to reach the end, it’s an honour for us to be here and we are happy, we must be happy. We have worked hard to be there and we have to work well again.”
Pioli is luck of idiot
He said: I have nothing to say to the team. It’s his job to tell them how to score. If he has nothing to say, what’s his use?
Pls use not Junior massias again pls
Not many fans like Saelemaekers, however it seems like good things happen when he is on the pitch, always moving towards goal and always trying to get central to the net, none of this to the side and trying service for a header. Messias is too slow and indecisive. Totally agree, please keep Junior off the pitch. Pioli is too stuck in his direction/strategy. Crazy is when you continue to do something and expect a different result. Once again NO offense, we have threats, just refuse to change approach.
The
enough with the “headers” on set pieces, everybody in Serie A knows it, the easiest way to score is directly at the goal, Bennecer gets it as does Theo, Leao is marked by two most of the time. Diaz is trying to be cute and dribble around, SHOOT the ball from outside the box with some authority and then work off the rebound rattling around, Bologna had the box covered 8 or 9 guys to our 1 or 2, they did not care if they scored, they were just not going to let us…..Scudetto was lost tonight, not only did we lose (sorry in my mind a tie is a loss) but Napoli and inter now have hope.
Mr Pioli where is the attacking tactics?? From the 1st minute all I saw was ball to the wingers or the right/left backs and continuous crossing for Giroud to header…Same story when Ibra entered.
Milan was so predictable. Easy night for Bologna..Unfortunately.
Pioli is good to build up a team,but when it comes to title challenge, he makes a mess of things.
Our attack is the main reason we have failed to score goals in recent games ,it is the major nemesis hunting our scudetto hopes, simply lack of quality in the final third,pioli should find a way of breaking down resolute defence in Serie A..we look forward to the next match, hopefully for a win, Forever Milan..
Milan ovisi još uvjek o sebi !! Prvi je i mora dobit sve do kraja a imo bod ili tri prednosti potpuno je svejedno !!!!!
Rebic should lead the attack. He has energy, power and techniques to run at defenders. Zlatan and Oliv has not energy to press. Rebic’s movement will free leao and co to operate and probably score easily.
Exactly my point. Messias should not be in that team at all. Very sluggish and wasteful. He gives out possession alot and whenever he’s on the ball, I never expected anything positive from him. Same as Brahim Dias. Pioli should just keep these two out and let sala play instead of messias and krunic or Kessie can play in place of dias
Should have replace Diaz with Zlatan. Diaz was easily pushed off the ball and doesn’t seem to create anything. Zlatan is wasted as a the lone striker due to lack of service and (his) pace. Better keep Giroud on the pitch for 90mins as he’s the most likely player to score.
Rebic & Leao as wingers who change places every now and then. The issue of good enough RW solved for now. Then someone should replace Diaz but who…?