Pioli acknowledges full-blown crisis for Milan: “Our Scudetto will be Champions League” | OneFootball

Stefano Pioli spoke to the media after AC Milan’s huge 2-5 defeat to Sassuolo earlier today. The manager admitted that the Rossoneri will have to fight for a top-four finish, being their ‘Scudetto’ of this season.

It was yet another shocking display from the Rossoneri today as Sassuolo managed to find the back of the net five times. Pioli has not been able to turn things around and the players are now painfully aware of their own crisis.

Speaking to Sky Italia, as cited by MilanNews, Pioli shared his thoughts on the very tough period. He admitted that Milan will have to shift their focus to a top-four finish this season and make it their ‘Scudetto’. The decline is clear, in other words.

It’s the most complicated moment since your arrival at Milan. How does it feel?

“Disappointment, and with disappointment we don’t go that far. The latest performances see us in difficulty, this must push me to understand that certain situations need to be improved and faced differently. Our Scudetto will be to reach the Champions League, this will be our goal.”

It doesn’t look like the Milan of 8 months ago in the slightest…

“Not 8 months ago, 3 weeks ago. Since the non-victory against Roma, we have not been able to perform on the pitch. The last two days of training were the best of the last period, in terms of attention and participation. Now as we take a slap we find it hard to react. I understand that there can’t be that lightness we had before, so we’ll have to work with more attention and conviction, we have to show that we can still have a good season and get to the Champions League.”

Have you thought about a retreat (a ritiro)?

“We will make the best decisions to overcome this moment. The derby is next week, we want to react and get out of this negative situation.”

There is a need for a “stronger” midfield, is it time to rethink the formation?

“I’m certainly thinking about many things, everything that has worked for us in these two years and has allowed us to play good and concrete football hasn’t been working this month. Then you have to change something, I will make the appropriate decisions to help the team have more compactness and positions that give us more balance in both phases of the game.”

Will you change anything in your way of approaching footballers?

“It’s easy to say that I’ve found players with full bellies, the biggest regret I have is that it’s not like that. We have the right attitude and desire, but we no longer have the ability to react to the difficulties of the match. I have always spoken with great clarity, with individuals and with the collective. What worked well up until 3 weeks ago is no longer working, I will make changes on a tactical level or approach with the players.”

On Tatarusanu…

“When a team suffers so much even the goalkeeper gets into trouble, right now I don’t have to dwell on individuals but on how the team should keep the field better, with more unity and better distances. We will work during the week to make improvements quickly, because Sunday will be an important match.”

Milan will face Inter next and a defeat in that game could result in Pioli’s dismissal. However, we will have to wait and see what the signals are from the management, seeing as they have previously backed the manager a lot.