Sandro Tonali has stated that the current Inter side under Simone Inzaghi remind him of how AC Milan were under Stefano Pioli.
There did seem to be a real family atmosphere in and around the squad during Milan’s conquest of te 2021-22 league title, a season in which the team perhaps overcame the odds and performed above the sum of their parts.
Those days are long gone now though, with the Rossoneri now languishing down in ninth place in the table and nine points off the top four. Inter are in a league title fight, as well as the Champions League quarter-finals and with a Coppa Italia semi-final to come.
Meanwhile, Tonali headed off for a new experience at Newcastle United and Pioli left the club at the end of last season, with both Paulo Fonseca and Sergio Conceicao failing to get close to the levels he reached.
Tonali spoke to Cronache di Spogliatoio ahead of the Coppa Italia derby between the two Milanese clubs, which will take place over two legs. Calciomercato.com have relayed his comments.
What was it like under Pioli?
“Inter today reminds me of my Milan under Pioli. In addition to being good on the pitch, he has always been very good at creating the group: he built it.
“When you find players who never play, but who love coming to the pitch and who celebrate on the bench for a 2-0 goal even though they know they won’t come on, it’s not a given.”
Why are Inter comparable?
“Because it’s beautiful to watch, there are players like Frattesi, who doesn’t play much, but when he’s on the pitch he ‘makes holes’ because he leaves fire behind him. Our group was like that.
“There was never a problem. And if something happened or there was a long face, the coach resolved everything immediately. Pioli was good at managing and entertaining everyone.”
Can you give an example?
“The Rebic of the moment was happy: against Juventus he came on and scored because he was carefree. Even after the 5-2 defeats against Sassuolo or 4-0 against Lazio. Pioli, I don’t know how, was good at pampering all the players without breaking the group.
“He asked you a lot on the pitch, but at the same time he asked you if you had problems or if everything was going well at home. He was a father. When I scored against Lazio, he tore up celebrating.
“It was partly due to the heat of the moment, partly due to my age. Once he left me out because I had skipped both breakfast and the meeting. I was 40 minutes late, but waking up in the morning is my problem… I will always have it.”
I was fine with Pioli leaving cause I honestly believed management would try bring in better, then Lopetegui…that’s when I realised Redbird is not Elliott. Now we’re crying for a Pioli
So here it is Pioli haters. We’re still suffering because of his good man management skills and the way he took care of his players both on and off the pitch, pampering them. Damn you baldie for being a father figure to these guys!
What we need is someone better than pioli. Ancelotti is a dream. But there are conte, klopp,there are some proven coach out there. Even mourinho still looking for a last dance. And why on earth they keep looking for some potential coach. We are milan!! Second best football club in history. Hiring a coach not as expensive hiring top players. I hope that this club will revive not just a history. Redbird should know without trophy they will be run out of fans and eventually there will be a bad investment
You cannot do that with Sergio, he already said dont want become friend with any player. Thats why Sergio need to go after season end and find Italian coach that can same or more higher than pioli level, he is father figure for young Player like tonali
So much about coaching is psychology. Players play for each other but also for the coach. Theydon’t wanna let the coach down. That means you need a coach the players want to please like dad.