Pioli believes Milan are not yet ‘mature’ as he explains formation and selection choices | OneFootball

AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli believes that his side did not defend badly in the derby defeat to Inter but were ultimately left to rue another set piece goal conceded.

Milan went into the game against their city rivals having gone six without a win across all competitions but they were unable to stop that run as they lost 1-0 to the Nerazzurri, making it two defeats to them in less than two weeks.

Inter had been knocking on the door before they took the lead in the 34th minute, and it was no more complex than an in-swinging corner whipped towards the near post that Lautaro Martinez steered goalwards having got himself free.

After the game Pioli spoke to DAZN to give his thoughts on the performance and what was yet another damaging result for his side in their quest for the top four, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.

Surprised by the performance?

“Clearly we wanted to be more compact and we waited more for our opponents. We conceded something and defended badly. We had to dribble more, because we had the chance and we were often outnumbered. We didn’t improve our centre of gravity in the first half. It was a difficult game. We found ourselves unprepared on set pieces once again. We did better offensively in the second half.”

How complicated was it to switch formations?

“It wasn’t complicated. Even the lads worked with the right conviction during the week. Clearly we haven’t been compact and solid in defence lately. We believed that these were the right positions to face Inter. Our mistake it was not being able to dribble and move the ball and this forced us to play a lot of defence in the first half.”

Have you given up your creed?

“As a coach, I have a clear view of the situation. I am certain that if we had played our usual brand of football, we’d have struggled even more tonight. We have lost something from then, we were more solid today and can build on that, but also need to be more aggressive and attacking.”

What must Leao do to become a starter again?

“Leao has enormous potential. The choice to play with two closer strikers was to put Inter’s defence in difficulty. Leao has to be active throughout the game and he’s a player we bet on a lot. The choices I’ve made are the best for what I saw during the week: Leao doesn’t have the characteristics of two vertically close strikers.”

What happened?

“The negative matches have robbed us of our confidence and conviction as it is normal: we are not yet such a mature team, with some absences and others not at their best. We need to start again from tonight even if it is a defeat in the derby and that it hurts morally. But tonight we found solidity and determination that can help us get back to our levels.”

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