Ex AC Milan Coach Admits: ‘Six Straight Derby Losses To Inter Milan Hurt Me & Sped Up My Departure’ | OneFootball

Stefano Pioli feels that losing six straight derbies against Inter Milan played a big role in his exit from AC Milan.

Pioli spoke to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in today’s print edition, via FCInterNews. He also back Inter as still being the strongest team in Serie A.

Pioli and Milan parted ways last summer.

This ended what had proven to be a long and successful time in charge of the Rossoneri for the veteran coach.

There were certainly many ups and downs over the course of Pioli’s time in charge.

However, the 2021-22 Serie A title certainly allowed the former Inter, Fiorentina, and Lazio coach to cement his place in Rossoneri history.

But last season saw a few too many negative moments, perhaps.

And the fact that Milan lost six derbies in a row against Inter certainly didn’t help. These included in the Supercoppa Italiana as well as both legs of a Champions League semifinal tie.

Stefano Pioli: “Six Straight Derby Losses Vs Inter Sped Up AC Milan Exit”

Pioli said of his exit from Milan that “We’d reached the end on a psychological level.”

“And then the derby losses sped it up,” the former Milan coach admitted.

“Losing six in a row hurt, naturally. Particularly the two in the Champions League.”

“Particularly because they took the shine away from what had been a great achievement,” Pioli noted. “Getting back to the semifinal for the first time in sixteen years.”

And asked if Inter are still the strongest team in Serie A, Pioli replied “Yes. even if Atalanta have grown.”

“Because of the exceptional work from Gasperini, but also Percassi.”

And of Napoli, Pioli said that “Conte is a guarantee in the Italian league.”

“They’ve strengthened for him. And they have the week off without cup football.”

Pioli predicted that Napoli “will fight for it right until the end.”