Pioli: ‘It’s clear that time is needed for Milan’ 

Stefano Pioli insisted that he was satisfied overall with Milan’s performances during their pre-season tour of the United States, but admitted that ‘time is needed’ for the new-look team to fully gel following the 1-0 defeat to Barcelona on Wednesday morning.  

The Rossoneri slipped to their second defeat of the summer against Xavi’s side. Ansu Fati’s second half moment of individual magic was enough to settle the scores in Barca’s favour. 

Milan had chances of their own, but more of the clear-cut chances fell Barcelona’s way in Las Vegas. 

Still, one defeat out of three is not a major cause of concern for Pioli, who told the press after the game: “The assessment of the tour is very positive, because we worked well and took part in three top-level matches, which told us something special. 

“There are three weeks left, and what I’ve seen is certainly positive. It has taught us lessons. The new players are integrating well, but it’s clear that time is needed.”

The Rossoneri coach said that, with his new signings, he expects the team to be a serious attacking threat in the upcoming season. 

“With the three up front, I expect them to score goals. We’ve always been dangerous but we haven’t always exploited the opportunities.”

Still, there are areas left to improve on, particularly at the back.  

“We struggled to get the ball away from Barcelona and in the defensive phase, we conceded. That’s normal against a team with so much attacking threat.”

“We have to lose hold of the ball on fewer occasions, the ball needs to be managed better.”

With plenty of new arrivals this summer, Pioli expects his team to be dangerous from multiple areas of the pitch, not just from the left flank where Rafael Leao is typically deployed. 

“Of course, it is our goal to have Rafa in possession as much as possible, but we don’t want to have him as our only option and he must give us the possibility to get him, the ball moving with more continuity.”