Marco Giampaolo “won’t brush the dust under the carpet” after Milan squeezed past 10-man Verona. “They’re accustomed to playing as individuals.”
Mariusz Stepinski saw red within 21 minutes for a high boot on Mateo Musacchio and the Rossoneri only broke through with a Krzysztof Piatek penalty.
Marco Giampaolo “won’t brush the dust under the carpet” after Milan squeezed past 10-man Verona. “They’re accustomed to playing as individuals.”
Mariusz Stepinski saw red within 21 minutes for a high boot on Mateo Musacchio and the Rossoneri only broke through with a Krzysztof Piatek penalty.
“The team is working well, is finding its balance and I know there are some strengths and weaknesses, but I work to improve the individuals and the teams,” Giampaolo told Sky Sport Italia.
“Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, there is no perfect side. I like the effort and passion we put into the game, then errors can happen.
“The team played well in the second half, with the right approach and precision. A team that defends with 10 men in their final third are difficult to break down. Verona played their honest defensive game and we were constantly pushing forward. We didn’t do it perfectly and of course there is plenty to work on and improve, but the victory helps us to work.”
Milan go into next week’s Derby della Madonnina with Serie A leaders Inter and are still struggling to put moves together.
“I won’t just brush the dust under the carpet, I know full well we need to improve and there are issues we have to deal with.
“I don’t like to improvise, I want my team to have a structure to work on and some guarantees to build on. There are many talented individuals in the side and I still need to get them to fit within the context of the team unit.
“When the opposition is defending in a block, you have to move the ball side to side, tire them out, stretch them and create the spaces.
“All games are difficult and you have to earn the points. VAR has rightly taken away the doubts and uncertainties we had in the past when some more prestigious clubs would get the benefit of the doubt, so all the matches are now even.
“We must be honest, I don’t hide. This team is trying and is accustomed to playing as individuals, whereas I must get them working in the service of the collective. We must learn to attack better, that is true.”
Piatek did not celebrate with his usual Pistolero gesture after the penalty, instead looking at the camera with a finger up to his lips in silence.
“He fought hard, he converted the penalty and I didn’t see anything controversial about his celebration. He’s a good lad, he doesn’t stir up trouble.”