Stefano Pioli assures Milan ‘earned’ their win against Bologna and have put the disappointment of ‘a difficult week’ behind them.
The Rossoneri ended their run of back-to-back defeats in all competition by scraping a 2-1 victory away to Bologna, achieved with two penalties – one converted by Franck Kessie, the other on the rebound by Ante Rebic after Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s effort was saved.
Stefano Pioli assures Milan ‘earned’ their win against Bologna and have put the disappointment of ‘a difficult week’ behind them.
The Rossoneri ended their run of back-to-back defeats in all competition by scraping a 2-1 victory away to Bologna, achieved with two penalties – one converted by Franck Kessie, the other on the rebound by Ante Rebic after Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s effort was saved.
Andrea Poli came off the bench and scored to make it a panicked finale, Gianluigi Donnarumma repeatedly coming to the rescue.
“You have to sweat for every single point. Without the naïve error on Bologna’s goal, we would’ve had a very good game,” Pioli told Milan TV.
“We created a great deal and played well. I am happy with the performance and a victory that gives us more confidence at the end of a difficult week. Victories must be earned.”
The last week has indeed been tough for Milan, who lost 3-0 in Serie A to Atalanta and went out of the Coppa Italia quarter-final 2-1 to Inter.
“The last two training sessions were the best we’ve had in a long time. We got some important players back and the team maintained the right attitude.
“We weren’t happy with the performance against Atalanta, as they were the only team that really made us suffer this season. We fought it out with everyone else.”
Rafael Leao was playing in a new role as trequartista in a central position behind Ibrahimovic, in the absence of Hakan Calhanoglu and Brahim Diaz.
“Leao did well and Rafa is no longer a surprise. He has immense potential and just has to continue these performances. He’s much more in the game, he knows when to defend, when to make the block. He’s on his toes now,” added Pioli.