Stefano Pioli and his AC Milan side got back to winning ways in the league this evening, beating Lecce 2-0 after a controlled display. Indeed, the gaffer believes the Rossoneri have returned to their usual standard.
Rafael Leao was the protagonist for Milan this evening as he opened the scoring with a header in the first half. And then in the second, he came up with another solo goal, firing it via the post and in with his left foot.
Speaking to DAZN, as cited by MilanNews, Pioli spoke about the game and Milan’s current situation in the standings. He believes that the team has recovered from what was a very tough start to 2023.
On the game…
“I listen to what my players say. We have the Champions League dream but we’ll get to that in two or three weeks. Today it was a very important match just like the one against Roma next week is.”
On Leao’s header…
“I think Rafa needs to attack the far post more, even from open play. There are few right-backs who can handle him in terms of length. He has incredible physical potential. He must be more inside the area and attack the far post more.”
On patience in the first half…
“There was patience but there wasn’t the lucidity in the decision-making in the final third, we made too many poor choices. Then we made the game and commanded as we prepared it. And we risked almost nothing.”
On his words to the team before the match…
“Above all the fact that in these matches, you have to start strong. We had to bring energy after the great performances in the Champions League, in front of our fans. It’s never easy when the opponents defend behind the ball.”
On the long balls to Rebic…
“We looked for depth, considering Ante’s characteristics. To be unpredictable, a team must know how to alternate: all you need is timing and collaboration with your partner. In my opinion, two or three times we developed this well but we weren’t precise”
On Krunic…
“In the beginning, it was more about inserting him into the role, now it’s more about building. Rade knows how to unmark and hold up the game well, he becomes a player who dictates the tempo well. He knows how to open up, he knows how to stay inside and he’s an important player. Today I also liked how Isma entered. The important thing is to take positions that can create problems for your opponents and make the right choices, above all it’s the opponents who then make you make the choices.”
On stimuli…
“Before today’s match, there were 8 games left, 5 at home and 3 away. I told the team that today’s match and the next one in Rome will be matches that will determine our final position. We don’t need any other stimuli, we know how important it is to try to reach whoever we have in front of us and try to win as much as possible in this final. We have overcome some difficult moments and we are fine now.”
On the Euroderby…
“Two fantastic matches to be experienced with great intensity, emotion and pathos: Champions League semi-final plus a derby. But there’s time, on Saturday we have a very important match against an opponent who is doing very well, who is physical, trained by a great coach. It’s the team that’s in front of us, we know how to deal with it.”
Milan will take on Roma next and it’s a crucial game in the Champions League race, as the Giallorossi are currently ahead on goal difference (they will play tomorrow). In any case, the next few weeks will be very interesting.
Rebic isn’t unpredictable. He is very predictable in that he will fail.
You are 💯 % correct.
Too bad Rebic hasn’t found his performance yet.