Pioli responds to idea Barcelona loanee could follow path of current Man Utd starter

By Euan Burns -

AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli has agreed that Sergino Dest could be set to take a similar career path that Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has taken.

Pioli did his press conference earlier on Monday (transcribed by Milan News) ahead of the match against Chelsea in the Champions League which takes place on Tuesday evening. It is a crucial game for Milan as they try to redress the balance following the 3-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge last week.

One of the topics he was asked to discuss was that of Barcelona loanee Dest and his time with the Rossoneri. He has been thrust into the starting lineup due to Davide Calabria’s injury over the last week or so.

He stopped being part of Xavi Hernandez’s plans at Barcelona and has found a home at Milan for the season, which is reminiscent of how Milan loaned Dalot from Manchester United during the 2020/21 season.

He has since gone back to his parent club and has now become the first-choice right back under new coach Erik ten Hag. Pioli was asked if Dest is following a similar path and he said: “I don’t know if it’s comparable, but I think it’s a necessary path.

“He comes from a different game than ours, it takes some time to adapt, but I really believe in his qualities. Soon his time will also come.”

Tags AC Milan Barcelona Diogo Dalot Sergino Dest Stefano Pioli
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