The club has accommodated my requests in the transfer market, and I have several options. I am content with the squad; I have many choices and ready players.
CAGLIARI
After the victory against Cagliari, Stefano Pioli was satisfied with Milan’s performance. “We should have taken the lead ourselves, but we weren’t too clinical and we conceded a goal due to a lack of concentration” the Rossoneri coach explained. “We did well to react with composure and turn the game around while sticking to our game plan. We absolutely deserved to win.”
“Cagliari waited for us, so they can hit us from the counter attacks,” Pioli continued. “We had some cracks here and there, but we didn’t suffer any dangerous counterattacks. We controlled the game. We showed character and remained composed in terms of organization and gameplay. We won a game that could have become complicated after conceding a goal.”
“We conceded a goal from a throw-in, and we need to improve our focus,” he continued. “In the second half, we made a few too many passing mistakes, but it’s not easy to dominate for 90 minutes and not give anything away to the opponent.”
“I don’t have a vast number of players, and I prefer it that way, but I have a few who are ready to play. It’s the fourth game in ten days,” Pioli added, discussing player rotation. “In the short term, we may pay a bit, but in the long term, I’ll have more motivated players and fewer injury risks. I won’t make substitutions just because of the many matches but also to maintain a high level of the team.”
INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES
“Adli did well. He has embraced his role since the training camp with great dedication and a desire to improve,” he added. “He did many good things, and there are areas where he can improve, but it’s a performance that allows me to consider Adli for the deeper midfield position.”
“Loftus-Cheek is a strong player, very complete, he provides us with everything: passing, forward runs, physicality, set pieces. He’s very important to us, but we need to manage him well as he hasn’t played this much in recent years,” he continued, discussing individual players.
“Okafor had a good game. He’s different from Giroud and can also play on the left. There are many solutions, but also many games,” he added. “I have many versatile players; perhaps only Chukwueze can play exclusively on the right. Jovic is also regaining good form; he gave me positive feelings against Verona.”
“Reijnders is a tremendous player; I’d like to see him a bit more between the lines, making runs. He has intelligence and technical cleanliness,” he concluded. “Musah can also play as a central midfielder, which makes me comfortable when replacing Krunic.”
