Milan made it successive defeats, losing 1-0 to Benfica in the International Champions Cup, but Marco Giampaolo felt his side did ‘much better’.
A deflected finish from ex- Milan attacker Adel Taarabt decided the game in Benfica’s favour, but Giampaolo – while accepting his team still had a ‘lot’ of work to do – saw signs of progress.
The result says nothing, it doesn’t necessarily mean the team has a certain attitude,” the Coach said after the game.
Milan made it successive defeats, losing 1-0 to Benfica in the International Champions Cup, but Marco Giampaolo felt his side did ‘much better’.
A deflected finish from ex- Milan attacker Adel Taarabt decided the game in Benfica’s favour, but Giampaolo – while accepting his team still had a ‘lot’ of work to do – saw signs of progress.
The result says nothing, it doesn’t necessarily mean the team has a certain attitude,” the Coach said after the game.
“For us, it‘s not a defeat because I liked how the team played. We tried to dominate the game.
“Things also go beyond my expectations, but this is the first step. We did a lot of things better than in our last game, in both phases of the game.”
The Rossoneri were beaten 1-0 by Bayern Munich last time out, on Giampaolo’s debut in the dugout.
“We did much better and I’m happy. I like how the team are carrying out their work. The result doesn’t change anything.
“Having said that, work must be done, not a little bit but a lot. We need to get used to seeing a team who fall back into a defensive shape every time we can’t recover the ball and don’t have 11 players in line with the ball.”
Next up for the Diavolo is a clash with Manchester United in Cardiff on August 3.
Milan 0-1 Benfica
Taarabt 70
Milan first half: Donnarumma; Calabria, Musacchio, Romagnoli, Rodriguez; Borini, Biglia, Calhanoglu; Suso; Castillejo, Piatek
Milan second half: Reina; Conti, Gabbia, Romagnoli, Strinic; Krunic, Biglia, Brescianini; Suso; Castillejo, Piatek
Benfica first half: Odysseas; Nuno Tavares, Ruben, Ferro, Grimaldo; Fejsa, Gabriel; Pizzi, Rafa, Taarabt; Seferovic
Benfica second half: Odysseas; Nuno Tavares, Ruben, Jardel, Ebuehi; Florentino, Samaris; Chiquinho, Joao Filipe, Caio; Zivkovic