Tensions ran high in the Milan camp following their 3-0 defeat to PSG.
Stefano Pioli, Milan’s head coach, expressed his dissatisfaction with his captain Davide Calabria, who criticized his teammates after the game. Additionally, Pioli revealed another injury issue within the team.
It has been a 5 games without a goal for AC Milan, an unprecedented feat for any Italian side in the history of this tournament. Calabria came off the bench at half-time to replace Malick Thiaw, who had a a yellow card, but he couldn’t prevent Randal Kolo Muani and Kang-in Lee from adding to the score sheet.
Calabria, visibly frustrated with the team’s performance, expressed a different thoughts compared to his coach when speaking to Sport Mediaset after the match.
“We knew that this was the toughest group. We are here. Every day we go to Milanello and work hard so that we can play these games. If we want to keep going in the Champions League, then we must roll up our sleeves. Anyone who doesn’t believe should just stay at home.”
When Pioli was informed of Calabria’s comments, he was displeased with his captain’s approach.
“He was wrong to say that. There is nobody at Milanello who lacks focus or intensity. It can happen in the heat of the moment after a match to say things you don’t mean. What we prepared during the week is what we showed today; it was just that we lacked quality in certain moments.”
Pioli faced criticism for keeping Olivier Giroud on for the entire 90 minutes, but he explained that there was a good reason for it, especially with injuries to Noah Okafor and Samuel Chukwueze.
“Luka Jovic felt a twinge in his adductor during the warm-up. I don’t know if he will be ready to play against Napoli.”
