After the win against Napoli, AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli spoke to the media about the Rossoneri’s performance. Thanks to the win, they now have a slight advantage ahead of the second leg.
Milan had a shaky start to the game but managed to recover and eventually took the lead through Ismael Bennacer. It came after a fast counter-attack, courtesy of Brahim Diaz, and Rafael Leao ended up getting the assist.
Speaking to Prime Video, as cited by MilanNews, Pioli stated that Milan played a Champions League-worthy game. He also made it clear that no result would have ended the tie tonight.
In the studio, they are already talking about the return…
“I’m already thinking about the return as well, which will be another great match like this one. Great pace, great emotion, but a few too many technical errors. Two very balanced and difficult games for both.”
On the match…
“They got off to a better start than us, we dribbled poorly. It’s the first time we have won here in Milan against Napoli in the last 3 years. There is some regret for not having taken advantage of the numerical superiority towards the end, but the result can give us hope for the next round.”
Bennacer’s sub…
“I tried to insert a player from the wing and put Brahim a little more centrally. Isma played a great game but he was a little tired from the great work he did.”
Who did you like more?
“Everyone. Leao? Yes, certainly. I liked Giroud, I liked Tomori, we played a Champions League game. No result would have closed the tie tonight, we will go to Naples with great confidence, aware of the difficulties.”
The return leg will be played on Tuesday next week and given that Milan have good memories from Stadio Diego Armando Marando, there is optimism. In that sense, in fact, the toughest game was tonight as Napoli have done well at San Siro.
I wonder why when you play rebic
I have never seen a player as poor as rebic! In all assessment he is a waste of money and Origi! Milan directors have really been disappointing in the choices made in the markets above all! De keteliere, Origi, Rebic, and Florenzi….all very very disappointing! Maldini should be well scrutinized and massara! And on a condition Milan miss out on top 4 they should be fired with piolii!
Missed opportunity to go into second leg with more than a goal advantage. I just feel like Pioli is the kind of coach who gets you only ‘almost there’. Unhelpful changes later on in the game. A 10 man Napoli nearly snatched a point. Moving Diaz centrally and later bringing on Rebic to play up top just because the opponents are a man down. That’s something you’ll probably do if you were the team trailing. We had them, Just maintain shape, make like for like subs – like bringing on Pobega for Ben to continue to cut Lobotka off – a tactic which proved to be key and working. And then use Leao to make up extra attacking presence in the box. And probably Florenzi for Calabria. Now Tonali will then provide the overloads to give them something to worry about.
If Pioli were to set up this team the way he should, and play each player the way he should (like Diaz at RW), i think we would find that some of the players struggling atm can come good, and the work needed in the mercato would be much clearer.