Following Thursday night’s performance against AS Roma in the Europa League, AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli has shared what he told the players in the dressing room after the fixture.
Given the magnitude of the fixture, Milan’s display was disappointing on so many levels. However, the flip side of this is that there is only a singular goal between the sides, so hope is by no means lost going into the second leg of the tie.
Several elements were missing from the Rossoneri side seen in recent weeks and the one seen in the tie, and that will be majorly disappointing for Pioli, considering how much is at stake regarding his future.
Reports leading up to this month and the match itself emphasised the significance of positive results, and failing to get those re-opens talks about his future – albeit this time with a potentially sour view.
Following the loss, Pioli spoke to the media about the fixture and what he told his players in the dressing room – his words have been relayed by MilanNews.
Did Roma surprise you?
“It didn’t surprise us, they only changed sides, El Shaarawy who did what he usually does on the left. In the first half, we weren’t so sharp, so lucid without the ball, we weren’t aggressive. It was not our best game from the point of view of quality.”
Worried by the lack of aggression?
“You are aggressive when the distances are right. I think the team was very generous, but not with the courage and the right distances that we needed to have.”
How steep is Milan’s climb?
“The climb is steep because the level has risen, but I’m convinced the team can play at a higher level and if we play at that level we have every chance of playing. That’s what I told the team after the game.”
