Ranieri admits Cagliari were ‘cut into slices’ and comments on Milan fans’ protests | OneFootball

Claudio Ranieri shared his thoughts on the decision of the AC Milan fans to protest during the game against his side Cagliari last night, as well as how he thought the game itself went.

Milan broke their run of six games without a win in convincing fashion as they beat a relegation-threatened Cagliari side 5-1 at San Siro on Saturday night.

It was an eerie atmosphere and a slow start but Milan got the first goal through captain Ismael Bennacer, and they doubled that lead early in the second half when Christian Pulisic finished having been put through on goal by Rafael Leao, who came off the bench.

Nahitan Nandez got Cagliari right back in it from Zappa’s cross, but then Tijjani Reijnders fired in a rocket before Pulisic and Leao each scored inside the final 10 minutes to ensure there would be no nervy finish.

Ranieri spoke to the reporters who gathered in the press conference room at San Siro after the game last night and his assessments on the defeat for his side were transcribed by MilanNews.

What was missing tonight?

“We were too timid in the first half: we did well in the defensive phase, less so in attack, even though we did well on two of the counter-attacks… I think Cagliari did what they had to do. In the second half we were there stretched a little to worry them more and they beat us on the counter.”

Pioli defined you as one of his three mentors…

“I thank him.”

Now two games for survival…

“We have to try against Sassuolo: there are two chances, Sassuolo and Fiorentina. We will fight until the last second of the last match: I said it at the beginning of the season and so it is coming true.”

What do you say to the players?

“I told my players that this would be a free hit match, because if we lost nothing would change. Not that we came for a walk eh… I can’t blame my boys for anything.”

Did Milan cut you into slices?

“Milan cut us into slices when we went forward and they found space behind. A slightly exaggerated result for us, without taking anything away from the Rossoneri’s champions who scored those wonderful goals.”

The Milan fans protested…

“The AC Milan fans are protesting not the players, the coach, but the club, which they would like to be even greater.”