AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli was not happy with the result last night as his side were held to a 0-0 draw by Sassuolo in a frustrating game.
Sassuolo seemed determined to sit deep and defend a point having perhaps learned a lesson from when their expansive style was punished in May as the Rossoneri won 3-0, but they could have won it through Domenico Berardi’s penalty which was saved.
Pioli spoke to Milan TV after the game to reflect on the result and the performance, with his comments relayed by MilanNews and translated below.
“I would have preferred to concede a goal and win the game. We started very well, we played good football, fast and with good situations, not finding the positive pass. Then we got confused, leaving some counters. In the second half we lost lucidity, playing in a hurried way and failing to win a game that could be won,” he said.
“We are the ones who force the opponents to play deeper. Today we went with too many players all in behind, so we lacked players between the lines, quick exchanges…
“We create a little too much frenzy: we played as if we were playing 2 minutes from the end of the game. We should maybe turn the ball, isolate the best in 1vs1. Oh well, the players have already understood after the game.
“We were not very composed, we got little for the many fouls. We expect different games as a development due to the importance and quality of the opponents. The expectations on us have increased, but this is a privilege. Today the mentality of the team has remained strong and aware, but they can play better on a technical and decision-making level.”
When Sassuolo came out pressing it seems they took the last outing to heart and were out for revenge. Also they probably had more motivation that we were playing with a lesser squad so maybe felt disrespected. At least that’s my impression
It could be partly Sassuolo wanting revenge and it could also be that Milan players had the derby this weekend in the back of their minds and looking ahead (not to mention Champions League coming up a bit over a week from Sass match too). It’s easy for us sitting at our computers to say the boys should be more focused; but it is human nature to look ahead to huge matches like that and overlook “lesser” opponents (especially after they no longer have Scamacca and Raspadori — 2 of their best players from last year).