The Rossoneri coach after the defeat to Juventus: “There is a lot of tension and disappointment because we didn’t achieve the result we wanted.”
Stefano Pioli chews on the bitter taste of the home defeat against Juventus, which halts Milan’s run and hands the top spot to Inter. “I didn’t say anything to the team; I usually don’t speak after games,” the coach explained at the end of the match. I believe it’s not the right moment to talk to them because there is a lot of tension and disappointment as we didn’t achieve the result we wanted. I think we played a good game with 11 players and a good game with 10. We weren’t inferior even when down to ten.”
Then, there was criticism regarding Gatti: “Leao put Gatti in difficulty, as he committed many fouls from the beginning. The rules state that if you commit many fouls, you should be cautioned. I think that’s the case, at least. Did he receive it? Yes, but late, after 22 fouls.”
Regarding the choice to substitute Pulisic after Thiaw’s red card, Pioli added, “I made the choice to have numerical inferiority up front with Giroud and Leao and maintain the formation we practiced during the week with a back four and a midfield of three. We started well in the second half, but we lacked intensity and attention being in numerical disadvantage.”
Regarding Thiaw’s red card incident, Pioli said, “In the case of the red card, there were both individual and team errors. Thiaw should have not attempted the tackle. The full-back’s positioning was also incorrect; Thiaw was also unlucky as he slipped, but he could have done better.”
Having lost two games in the league against the direct rivals, Inter and Juventus, Pioli commented, “This defeat doesn’t take anything away from us. If we can bounce back as we did after the derby, then a little off day like this is fine,” Pioli joked. “The team is on the right path, and we’re moving in the right direction.“
