GdS: Two big landmarks arrive for Pioli during Napoli win via a fitting tactical masterclass

By Oliver Fisher -

During the game against Napoli head coach Stefano Pioli became one of the top 10 longest-serving managers in the club’s history, and the win had his stamp all over it.

La Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanNews) writes how after the disappointing draws against Salernitana and Udinese there was some concern about how Milan might react in what is always a difficult trip to Naples, but in the end Pioli’s team again showed that they are not first in the table by chance.

The victory has the signature of Pioli who prepared for the match well with some new tactics that effectively blocked the strengths of Spalletti’s team, such as playing Franck Kessie as a mezzala in what resembled a 4-3-3, and he effectively cancelled out the impact of Fabian Ruiz.

The other midfielders were also on top form as Ismael Bennacer dominated Lobotka, while Tonali took care of Zielinski who was practically never on the ball in dangerous locations, showing that Pioli’s work during the week was practically perfect.

Pioli entered the top 10 of the longest-serving coaches in the history of Milan joining Zaccheroni with 125 games, and in ninth place is József Bánás with 173 games at the helm. He beat Luciano Spalletti for the first time in his career too, and now the Rossoneri can dream.

Tags AC Milan Stefano Pioli

2 Comments

  1. Pioli must stick with this 433 and with this line up except rotating Giroud with Ibra and try Diaz as RW alternating with Messias. Calabria also has to give his place to Florenzi if he doesn’t step up

    1. yes agree to 4-3-3 , now that Ibra is back (hopefully) rotate the two big men for the stretch run for the Scudetto, I maybe alone with my opinion but believe Saele. can be good at RW if he continues to get game time experience, he does loose the ball often as he attacks forward, but more importantly he is GOING torward the goal more often than not where Diaz and Messias go side to side, odds are better of scoring directly at the goal than with crosses. Diaz gets pushed off the ball too easily. Would like Pioli to try Rebic at the 10. strong with back to goal and able to turn on a dime with either foot. Kessie is starting to return to last seasons form even though his time at Milan is over, Calabria no where as good as last year, maybe covid took more of a toll than expected. Leao must quit moping around when he looses the ball, throws up his hand anddrags his ass, get pissed off that you lost the ball and try to win it back, lazy play that we all see.

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