AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli believes that the team had the right attitude against Spezia but were ultimately made to feel the pressure after not opening the scoring.
The inquest continues after Milan were beaten 2-0 by relegation battlers Spezia at the Stadio Alberto Picco last night, with Przemysław Wiśniewski’s close range finish and Salvatore Esposito’s free-kick enough to condemn the Rossoneri to defeat.
Pioli spoke to Milan TV after the game to try and talk through what was yet another low point for his side in a season that is threatening to go down as very forgettable.
“Disappointed, for sure. After an okay first half, not exceptional but alright, where we controlled the game, risked very little and created chances, we weren’t great in the second half,” he began.
“Conceding the first goal at a set piece made things tough for us. It’s obviously not the result we wanted and not the performance that we wanted. We need to do better on Tuesday.”
There have been question marks about whether the team demonstrate the right mentality in these kinds of matches or whether they might be distracted by the games ahead in Europe, after dropped points against the likes of Empoli, Salernitana and Cremonese too.
“I don’t think that the team wasn’t determined, I think we just lacked a bit of rhythm and quality to carry more threat and convert some of those chances where we should have been more precise and clinical in order to take the lead,” Pioli added.
“We’re struggling to open the scoring so when games don’t initially go our way, it becomes tougher than it should. We’re together, positive and determined ahead of the game on Tuesday.
“We need to use this game to prepare for Tuesday. At this point, given where we are in the league, it’s the biggest game of the season.”
Now attention turns to the return leg against the city rivals, which is a mountain to climb in itself after the 2-0 defeat at San Siro on Wednesday night. A change in gear is needed or it risks being another domination.
“We know we need to put in a massive performance. We need to go out there believing that we can beat Inter. Beating Inter means we’re on the way to qualifying. We need to play well. I think we have the chance to do it.”
Pioli also gave an update on Rafael Leao, Rade Krunic and Junior Messias who did not travel for the game.
“They didn’t come because they couldn’t play. We’re doing all we can to have them back for Tuesday. They’ll try their best tomorrow to recover and then we’ll see on Monday whether they’re available.
“We hope that Leao, Krunic and Messias can play so that we have as many options as possible for the starting line-ip and to affect the game with substitutions.”
Stupid coach of all the time pioli out 🔚🔚🔚🔚.
Pippo Inzaghi and Giampaolo says hi
Yess.. we always together.. lose together.. hahaha