Following a frustrating 1-1 stalemate against Salernitana at the San Siro, Milan boss Stefano Pioli provided his perspective of his side’s 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, Pioli’s 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 Giroud’s 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 superb 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 Granata’s 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 Inzaghi’s squad:
“We certainly didn’t think we’d closed it after Giroud’s goal,” Pioli stated. “We controlled it but not in the way we wanted, we knew we were going into a tricky match and so I don’t think there was a mental decline, but we certainly had to do more to win.
“This is a lost opportunity, it’s useless to go around it. added the 57 year-old. “We had to and could have done more to win it.”
“If 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 didn’t take advantage of it. We were too close to the goal immediately open, it must not happen again.”
Julian Faustini Ι GIFN
