Following the 3-3 draw against Sassuolo, Stefano Pioli spoke to the media and shared his thoughts on AC Milan’s performance. He reflected on what went wrong for his side and what the derby will be like in the next round.
It was a crazy game from start to finish, certainly entertaining for the neutral viewers but not so much for the Milan fans. Due to really poor defending, which we highlighted in our player ratings, Sassuolo were able to take a 2-0 lead early on and this made things difficult for the Rossoneri.
Fortunately, they managed to get back into the game and probably should have won, but it ended 3-3 in the end. Speaking to DAZN afterwards, as cited by MilanNews, Pioli shared his thoughts on the performance and what went wrong for the Rossoneri.
On the performance…
“Three lapses of concentration on the goals conceded. We weren’t brave with the ball, even though we occupied good positions. We tried to play between the lines, also trying to play deep. I think it was the game in which we shot the most all year. We could have scored 5-6 goals, there is nothing negative for what we created.
“I keep my spirits high, knowing that we didn’t manage to get ahead of Juve, but with the aim of finishing second and thinking about the next matches, because for the next matches we need superior attention and quality.”
Leao as a leader?
“Leao must learn to manage these pressures, these expectations… He has a talent that is superior to others, so when he isn’t able to show it on the field… In our environment, compliments and criticisms are often exaggerated; he must know that it will be like this for his whole career. We have to play a great game on Thursday, but I don’t think we have to do something extraordinary: we have to play as we know how.”
What was missing today?
“The team has talent and quality, but we must have clear ideas on what to do with the ball and without the ball: this is the priority of my work and what we will work on for Roma and Inter. But I wouldn’t talk about attitude today. Carelessness, on the other hand, yes. We always try to play within our principles, looking for positions that can guarantee us advantages on paper. I believe that Roma played at the top of their level at San Siro, we were below our level. We need to bring more quality to the Olimpico.”
How do you work knowing that your future has yet to be decided?
“For me, nothing changes, because both in terms of mentality and professionalism, the next match I prepare will be the most important one. Then what my future will be will be decided at the end of the season.”
The derby could be decisive for the Scudetto…
“Inter will win the Scudetto, we will do everything to win the derby to give satisfaction to our fans and above all to maintain second place, which is still a prestigious result. We will try to do everything to win the next two matches. We will try to give our best.”
How are you on the physical front?
“We’re fine. Leao and Theo want to play, the more they play the better they feel. We’re coming into Thursday well. Unfortunately, Kjaer had a flexor problem. There’s time to recover.”
Should Inter win tonight, then Milan will have to beat them in the derby to avoid Scudetto celebrations at San Siro. Today’s result was certainly a slip-up and if you consider that the stars didn’t get that much rest in the end, it was a huge failure.
i dont care bout what you will do or how you will do it. just get the team to the next phase of the europa
Don’t worry. He won’t.
You are right Mr Pioli, we must maintain our second place to give satisfaction to our fans. We can win if you play full team, but we win the possession.
No balance in midfield, Stefano….
“I got into Serie A by watching and supporting Inter. It’s always been an ambition of mine, a dream. Now it’s come true. I was close to signing for Inter too as a player”
Pioli, Stefano (2017)
41 days, 21 hours, 11 minutes until Pioli is fired.
agree