Stefano Pioli knows Milan ‘wasted too many chances’ in the 2-1 win against Genoa, but insists Champions League qualification is and always was the target.
The Rossoneri celebrated their first home win in all competition for over two months, but it was a very hard-fought affair.
Stefano Pioli knows Milan ‘wasted too many chances’ in the 2-1 win against Genoa, but insists Champions League qualification is and always was the target.
The Rossoneri celebrated their first home win in all competition for over two months, but it was a very hard-fought affair.
Mattia Destro’s free header cancelled out the Ante Rebic opener, then a Gianluca Scamacca own goal proved decisive, along with a double Simon Kjaer and Fikayo Tomori goal-line clearance late on.
“We know there are many difficult games coming up and this was one of them. We wasted too many chances and could’ve sealed it by half-time, or at least suffered less late on, but it was an important win,” the coach told DAZN.
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic suspended, Rafael Leao played as a centre-forward with Rebic in support.
“Rebic is more of a support striker who moves towards the centre rather than on the wing. He does that with Leao, Ibrahimovic and anyone else. He scored a great goal today with remarkable technique.”
Pioli was asked if Milan will continue to have the same attitude even after missing out on the Scudetto.
“I think we’ve let go of the Scudetto for the last three or four games already. Inter won too many matches and are too far ahead to be challenged now.
“It would be extraordinary and wonderful for Milan to get into the Champions League again. I saw a statistic that said we are one of the teams in the top European leagues with the youngest average age, but most of the others aren’t even in the top 10, whereas we are second in a very difficult league like Serie A.
“There are very tough games coming up with Sassuolo, Atalanta, Lazio, so we need to keep pushing.”