Pioli warns Milan must work ‘until the final whistle’ and explains Calhanoglu frustration

By Isak Möller -

Milan started their league season in the best way possible with a win against Bologna this evening. They never really seemed threatened and managed to score two goals to secure the three points. 

Although they were the favourites heading into the game, Stefano Pioli will be pleased with his team’s performance as they played well throughout the game. Several chances were created and they could have scored even more.

In an interview with MilanTV, as cited by MilanNews.it, the manager shared his thoughts on the game, as well as some individual positives. Zlatan Ibrahimovic being one of them, of course, scoring both goals for Milan this evening.

“The match presented many pitfalls for the aggressiveness of our opponents. We were a team, until the second goal I liked the team in everything. Then we stopped playing and the match reopened, we must carry on our concepts and our ideas until the final whistle.

“Now team has its own identity. We have confidence and quality, we are aware of having players who can make the winning move at any time. The team can obviously grow and the newcomers too.

“On Thursday, we have a very important match against a young and fast team that hasn’t lost for 9 months. Now let’s recover our energies and prepare ourselves,” he began.

Pioli was also asked about the players complaining about being subbed off, as we saw with Ibrahimovic in July and Calhanoglu today.

“Hakan complained tonight because he came out, all the great players want to score. But then there is the coach who has to make the decisions. But when there is respect, everything is fine, there is no problem.

“Calabria? The credit is all of the players. He also suffered from my bad choices but he never lost the will to work. When these qualities are recognized, I’m particularly happy,” he concluded.

The Rossoneri’s next game will take place on Thursday against Norweigan side Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League qualifiers. Although the latter side have done well in their league, anything other than a win would be a disaster for Milan.

READ MORE: Ibrahimovic typically bold after match-winning brace: “If I was 20 I could have scored two more”

Tags AC Milan Stefano Pioli
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