AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli believes that some rather radical rule changes could benefit the sport of football moving forward.
There were some eyebrows raised when it emerged that – out of the 95 minutes total when factoring in added time – the ball was in play for just 48 minutes of the recent game against Juventus in what was a very stop-start game.
Pioli spoke to the media who gathered in the Milanello press room on the eve of Milan’s game against Spezia, answering a variety of questions with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
He was asked about the five substitutes rule that Serie A is able to benefit from, before offering his thoughts on a couple of rule changes that could actually benefit the sport as a whole.
“They are very important, I have been saying this for a long time. Especially now that we play every 3 days. It is never the quantity of minutes in which one plays, but the quality with which one plays them,” he said (via Patrick Kendrick).
“If I had my way the clock would stop when the ball goes out of play and I’d bring in a time-out in the first half. If we want to see more attacking football in the modern game, bring in a rule where you can’t go back into your own half once you’ve crossed the halfway line.”
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“Bring in a rule where you can’t go back into your own half once you’ve crossed the halfway line.”
Well… That would really transform the game. Not sure if that would be the correct path but who knows… Try it out in some primavera matches?
That idea sounds interesting! Would make game more exciting forsure!