AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli has admitted that he and the team have got regrets over their Champions League exit but he praised the togetherness that his team showed.
Speaking after the game on Tuesday night to Milan TV (via Milan News), the Italian coach explained that there are regrets and disappointments that come with losing in the Champions League semi-finals against Inter.
One factor in the 3-0 aggregate defeat that Pioli pointed out is that Milan had no Rafael Leao for the first leg and then a version of the Portuguese forward that was rushed back for the second leg.
“We had a good first half where we had the chance to go ahead but we didn’t manage to do so. The match is a big disappointment, we wanted to go to the final but unfortunately we didn’t succeed. Regrets are there, we could have scored the goal to change the game. If in these games you are not at the top afterwards it becomes difficult. We didn’t have Leao at the top in these two games,” Pioli said.
Pioli refused to criticise the attitude of his team across the two legs, saying: “I think the team remained as a team until the end. Today we played as a team but we lacked precision and speed. Unfortunately it didn’t end with a favourable result.”
Milan must now try to make sure that they are in the Champions League next season by getting into the Serie A top four, although they are four points behind Lazio in fourth place with just three games left to play.
“I think Milan tried to be competitive both in the league and in the Champions League, where it worked until the semi-final. The season is teaching us a lot, we have understood certain situations that we can develop and improve to be stronger,” he said.
“The goal is to be competitive in both competitions. If in the end we don’t play the Champions League next year it cannot be a good season. We have to finish the championship well, there are three games left and we have to catch up with someone in front of us.”
U are very useless coach talking nonsense from ur dirty mouth
He is either regurgitating notes media team gave him, or he is completely delusional. Not sure which is worse, him being spineless or clueless.
I think the bigger concern is the coach inabbility to break down small teams, we can have great match against Lazio and Napoli then lose to the bottom 3. Against Napoli ge did great job so hard yo say he is out of ideas completely… I think the world cup and the empty bench did hurt the team…. now if let’s say we lost to Tottengham or Napoli and made it to top 4 the season would of been considered a success… making it yo Simi final should be appreciated more as I don’t think anyone believe this team can beat real or man city … so back to reality the start 11 worked overtime and they just ran out of gas few steps before finish line…
Pioli is lacking technically. Could not set the mind of his players before the first leg with Inter as though there is nothing at stake at the semi finals. They crashed out within just 20 minutes of play. He made our last season scudeto like a fluke. And can not manage or use certain players as a result. Does that mean Milan can not play comfortably without Leao? And without any offensive threat? Shame!
As a team? LOL. A “team” would help out each others and have common playbooks and strategies. Milan has none. Or more specifically: Pioli has none.