AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli admitted that there are regrets about the way the first half went for his side, stating that the result was negative but not the performance.
Milan were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Empoli at San Siro tonight, and it was a game where the home side dominated the possession and the chances but once again were unable to create the moments of quality required to unlock the game.
After the 4-0 win against Napoli last weekend it is baffling how the team continues to be so inconsistent in the league, though in the second half there was a penalty overturned as well as a goal by Olivier Giroud for handball.
Pioli spoke after the game to Sky Italia to reflect on what was a frustrating night for his side as they missed another big opportunity, with his comments relayed by MilanNews and translation below.
“It’s not the result we wanted and we may have regrets about the first half. We played with great intensity and great pressure, conceding nothing, and doing everything we had to do to win in the second half, but the ball didn’t go in. I see a healthy team. It’s a negative result, not a negative performance,” he said.
Are you disappointed with Rebic and Origi?
“Goals are expected from the forwards. The taller full-backs would have given us more breadth in the first half and we had to fill the area better not only with the forwards. The team played a good match, but we lacked something.”
The alternatives are not the same level as the starters…
“The judgment could have been different if Rebic had scored in the first half, if Origi had scored with a little more luck with his heel… De Ketelaere does everything he has to do in training to convince me; he works as hard as his team-mates.
“Then I already changed a lot and I didn’t want to exaggerate. You all said ‘finally three midfielders’ and today… Choices are made. Charles has to be ready and trains very well, he’s a mature boy. Then I make the my choices.”
What game was it today?
“It’s been a long time since we played with this intensity, compactness and desire not to let the opponents play. I’m sorry, we’re Milan, but in my opinion as a coach we’re returning to our levels. We can do better. Our game is improving”.”
How will he play against Napoli?
“I didn’t do anything genius. Tomorrow morning I’ll tell the team one thing: in Naples we needed the points more than them. On Wednesday we’ll have great motivation and we’ll both play with great energy.
“I expect a strong Napoli, a completely different match from the league. Maybe we’ll change something, because Napoli have positions that created us and could create problems for us.
“Playing the Champions League here at San Siro is fantastic. Napoli is a great team. Then, as happened to us, we lost to spend so much in the Champions League. something in the league.”
