Pioli admits Liverpool made it difficult for Milan but: “It’s an opportunity to grow”

AC Milan failed to make the most of their Champions League comeback this evening as Liverpool eventually won 3-2. Stefano Pioli, who now has shared his thoughts on the game, will have a few things to work on.

Despite scoring two quick goals at the end of the first half, going into the break with a 2-1 lead, Milan lost their comeback in the competition. For most of the game, they weren’t on par and will have a few things to work on.

In an interview with Sky after the game, as cited by MilanNews, Pioli spoke about the game and shared his thoughts on the Rossoneri’s performance. He admitted that they still have a long way to go to compete with the big teams.

“The result is important and decisive, Liverpool played a great game, especially in the first 25 minutes. Then we overturned it, the regret is the 2 goals conceded in the second half, also due to our mistakes. It is a challenge that will make us grow a lot in terms of intensity and quality.”

Have you suffered too much?

“The team was motivated, we expected a strong start from our rivals. We were too static and weren’t been able to skip their pressure. The environment, the match, the quality of the opponent created some difficulties for us.”

At the end of the game you talked to Maldini, Massara and Klopp, what did you say?

“As always, we evaluate the collective, individual performance and the situations we have faced. Klopp had a nice smile, he said it was a great match. Too bad for the result, it would have been important to start with a positive result.”

Are you leaving Anfield with regret?

“I leave with the awareness that the team can grow and that the Champions League level is really high, we will have to try even harder. It’s an opportunity to grow further.”

On the way to play…

“We had prepared some positions to skip their pressing, but they pressed very hard and we struggled to dribble. When they direct you to one side, situations become less advantageous. Rebic often attacked the depth with the right moves but we didn’t always serve him. Their pressure bothered us. We made two or three central holes, the action of Rebic’s goal was very very beautiful.”

On the second goal conceded…

“The thing we regret is that besides the undeniable quality of Liverpool in dangerous situations we know how to do better and we will work better. Usually, we are much more careful, we could have defended better.”

On the first thirty minutes…

“In my opinion, we also looked for long balls, but we didn’t have a centre forward for this type of game. When we managed to move better and dribble better we were dangerous, but their intense pressure created difficulties for us.”

Milan will have to recharge their batteries now as they will face Juventus on Sunday evening. The Bianconeri have had a poor start to the season and you could argue that Pioli’s men are the favourites.

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