Following the Rossonerri’s discouraging 1-1 draw to Bologna at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Milan boss Stefano Pioli provided his insight on the match in a post-match press conference.
Pioli’s men were stunned very early on within the match as the Rossoblu broke on the counter following a turnover within the central area of the pitch. Full-back Stefan Posch burst with pace out-wide and delivered a fabulous low-driven cross into the box for Nicola Sansone to tuck the ball past shot-stopper Mike Maignan and obtain the opening the goal within the first 30 seconds of the match.
Despite the gut-wrenching start to the vital fixture, a mis-clearance from Bologna paved the way for central midfielder Tommasso Pobegba to fire a rocket from outside of the box off the post and into back of the net to seal the equalizer in the 35th minute, forcing both sides to share spoils at the end of the match.
With Il Diavolo securing only a sole point away from home, Milan sit in fourth place with 53 points, only two points ahead of cross-city rivals Inter whom have a game in-hand as they are set to face Monza later this evening, which puts their spot within the top four in grave danger.
While speaking to the media, as relayed by Milanese journal La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pioli expressed his frustration regarding the early goal that was conceded, which drastically shifted the dynamics within the match:
“We shouldn’t have started the match like this. We controlled the game, created a lot, but we weren’t precise and concrete. And there were delicate episodes inside the area. Everyone was in the game, we tried to win, but we didn’t succeed. We’re sorry we missed the opportunity.
“A coach must evaluate. This year we paid for our Champions League commitments, playing three games in six days is difficult. Bologna were fine, I chose to let those who had more energy, physical and mental, play to recover who will play in Naples. I have a strong group at my disposal and I trust them. My only regret is the goal conceded.”
Shortly after, the 57 year-old tactician touched upon Milan’s upcoming fixture within the the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals against Napoli at the Stadio Diego Maradonna, where they head into Neapolitan terrain with a one-goal advantage on aggregate following their impeccable performance last week at the San Siro:
“In terms of ideas, a little something in the head starts to blend. We have a small advantage, then if the opponents attack you we can have different solutions. In the first leg it was a balanced, difficult game, and it was the same in the league, despite the victory. We expect difficulties, but also solutions”.
Julian Faustini Ι GIFN
