Pioli defends Milan’s wide open style and discusses protests from fans | OneFootball

AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli defended the wide-open style of his side, but admitted that they made errors in the defensive phase that cost them dearly.

Milan and Genoa played out a thriller on Sunday evening at San Siro, eventually drawing 3-3 after both teams had given away leads. Genoa went ahead through Mateo Retegui’s penalty, then Alessandro Florenzi equalised before the break.

The away side again went ahead through Caleb Ekuban but Matteo Gabbia and Olivier Giroud scored in quick succession to give the Rossoneri the lead late on in the game.

Despite this they were unable to hold on and end the six-game winless run, with Retegui bundling home from close range inside the final few minutes to earn Gilardino’s side a draw.

Pioli spoke to DAZN after the game to try and assess what was an entertaining game but one that will not exactly leave him happy, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.

How do you analyse the game, from an attitude point of view?

“We started badly, the first 15-20 minutes we didn’t have the right consistency. Afterwards we played our game, creating and making a lot of mistakes. It’s not a question of commitment, it’s a question of having taken on a match with great selflessness and great quality, we had also created a lot. Then we conceded a goal that could have been avoided due to how we were in that defensive phase there.”

And the performance overall?

“We delivered a performance but we weren’t able to bring home a victory which would have been very important for the league table, we haven’t won in four games in the league. The fans have chosen this type of protest and we just need to respect them.”

How displeased are you by this situation with the fans?

“We have to be focused to do well until the end. Our fans have been an added value in recent years. They will have their reasons if they chose this protest. We have the qualities to do better, we have the possibility of finishing the season well.”

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Today there is little balance between the two phases, with more compact opponents countering easily…

“Against Juve it was a completely different match, we never went behind there. Today we went behind, we tried to recover the ball high and we often succeeded. It’s clear that when you get the timing wrong or your opponents get past you, you risk having a bit of an open field.

“It was a different game that we managed well after the minutes of the first half. Even on the second goal we need to defend better. It’s a shame not to have won because of what my players put on the field.

“In Turin it was a different type of match, today we were forced to play another type of match. If you want to be attacking you take some risks. I would understand your assessment if we had conceded the 3-3 goal in the open field but that’s not the case, we were well placed and that was our mistake.

“I changed formation because my energy was waning, I put in an extra defender but the result wasn’t what I wanted.”

How much did the Roma elimination in the Europa League have a negative impact?

“It made a rightful impact, it was our goal. We could have done better, in those two games we weren’t able to express ourselves and it’s clear that in the final balance of the season there will also be this elimination which will be a negative aspect.”

Leao came off amidst boos…

“When I make the changes I don’t think I’m doing something strong or proving something. Rafa was too little inside the opponent’s area, I needed an external attacker who could do it more and Noah did it. Not all matches are the same and not all performances are of the same level.”