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.
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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.”