Following the 1-1 draw between AC Milan and Atalanta, Stefano Pioli addressed the media to provide his insights on the team’s performance. He reflected on Milan’s dominance throughout the match and lamented the controversial penalty call that proved pivotal in the outcome. Additionally, Pioli praised Rafael Leao’s standout performance, acknowledging the missed opportunities that could have secured victory for the Rossoneri. Speaking to DAZN post-match, as reported by MilanNews, Pioli analyzed Milan’s display and discussed areas for improvement moving forward.
On the penalty awarded to Atalanta
“Inadequate, for two primary reasons: Holm instinctively covered his face, although the contact did not occur there, which is concerning in its own right. Moreover, the referee, Orsato, determined that the contact was insufficient. Giroud made no aggressive gesture, yet Holm reacted by covering his face… Credit to them for persuading the referee to reconsider. It’s regrettable.”
Milan almost always attacked with five men. Were those two points lost?
To secure a victory, a team must outscore their opponent, a feat we unfortunately fell short of achieving. Despite our efforts, we were unable to achieve this outcome. Against Atalanta, my Milan showcased its finest performance. We posed significant challenges to our opponents, preventing them from registering a single shot on goal. While the result is disappointing, it was undeniably our best performance of the week. Despite the positive aspects, particularly in our gameplay, the desired victory eluded us, a result I believe we merited.
The movements in midfield
We aimed for equilibrium in both defensive and offensive phases, with Adli tasked with monitoring Koopmeiners closely. Their tactical setup presented a distinct challenge, requiring us to adjust our defensive alignment accordingly. Yacine provided crucial support in central areas while our three attackers maintained the appropriate level of intensity, facilitating our defenders’ effectiveness in one-on-one situations.
On the team’s form
“I am of the opinion that as of late, we have consistently adopted this particular approach. Regrettably, we stumbled with our performance in Monza. Moreover, I have observed a plethora of negative critiques concerning Thursday’s match, where we were tasked with managing a significant lead, and I believe we executed that task effectively.
“Unfortunately, we are conceding penalties from various angles. There have been instances of naivety on our part and, in my view, some exaggeration in the referees’ assessments. Now, our focus shifts to the upcoming fixtures against Atalanta, Lazio, Empoli, and Verona, along with the double-header in Europe. These matches will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of our season.”
On Leao’s great game
He delivered his most consistent performance of the season to date. While he has previously shown glimpses of his potential, tonight he demonstrated a remarkable continuity and excelled particularly in his defensive responsibilities. This level of performance stems directly from his personal attributes and strong mentality.
Did Milan boost the confidence tonight?
At present, our focus is on solidifying our position in third place and narrowing the gap with Juventus. As other teams also contend with cup competitions, aside from Juventus, challenges will be encountered by all.
Reijnders’ condition
He is without any physical concerns. Considering that Tijj had played the full match on Thursday evening, I deemed Adli’s attributes more fitting for tonight’s game.”
The Rossoneri are set to face Lazio next, with the match scheduled for Friday evening, an uncommon kick-off slot. Nonetheless, securing three points remains imperative to maintain pressure on Juventus, who will confront Napoli in their forthcoming fixture.