Following a frustrating 1-1 stalemate against Salernitana at the San Siro, Milan boss Stefano Pioli provided his perspective of his sideโs display.
With Roma, Lazio, and Inter having all dropped points that were very attainable earlier this weekend, the Rossonerri had a major opportunity to cover ground within the race for a Champions League qualifying-spot and spring to second on level terms with the Nerazurri.
However, Pioliโs men seem to have broken down and malfunctioned, causing them to not be able to reach the other side of the path that was paved for them to climb up to second.
Olivier Giroudโs stunning header followed by a well-delivered corner from central midfielder Ismael Bennacer was not enough to get the Rossonerri across the finish line as Boulaye Dia stunned the home-side, finishing a superbย low-driven cross from Domagoj Bradaric from out-wide past Mike Maignan to seal their very first point against Milan at the San Siro within the Granataโs club-history.
While speaking in the post-match press, relayed by Milanese newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pioli gave his thoughts on the underwhelming performance from his side and the lost opportunity to apply pressure on Inzaghiโs squad:
โWe certainly didnโt think weโd closed it after Giroudโs goal,โ Pioli stated. โWe controlled it but not in the way we wanted, we knew we were going into a tricky match and so I donโt think there was a mental decline, but we certainly had to do more to win.
โThis is a lost opportunity, itโs useless to go around it. added the 57 year-old. โWe had to and could have done more to win it.โ
โIf that were the case, it would mean that we still have to grow a lot to become a top-level team. The big teams know that every match is important. This was an opportunity and we didnโt take advantage of it. We were too close to the goal immediately open, it must not happen again.โ
Julian Faustini ฮ GIFN
