Stefano Pioli explains why he hauled star man Rafael Leao off at half-time in Milan’s 2-1 defeat to Torino. ‘It certainly wasn’t his best evening, that was fairly obvious.’
The Rossoneri dropped down to third place after this surprise defeat at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, especially as they had been unbeaten in 17 consecutive Serie A away games.
The signs were there that this would be an off day, because Rafael Leao missed three huge chances in the first half, while Toro scored twice in two minutes with a Koffi Djidji header and Aleksei Miranchuk angled drive.
Junior Messias got one back, but that too was controversial, as he seemed to push Alessandro Buongiorno to get the shot into an empty net.
“We weren’t sharp, did not play at a high level of quality, and we didn’t have the right determination in the incidents that could change the game. We were poor in our own area and the opposition box,” Pioli told DAZN.
“We were meant to stay very wide, Junior did it on the right, Leao less so on the left. We tried to make it four against four upfront, but the fluidity wasn’t right at the back and the movements at the front weren’t right either.”
Pioli made a dramatic decision at half-time with a triple substitution, including star man Rafael Leao, who missed a couple of sitters early on and seemed to be very distracted.
“I wanted to change something, seek more movement off the ball, vivacity and the push of Sergino Dest rather than Pierre Kalulu. I looked for different characteristics in the strikers.
“It certainly wasn’t his best evening, that was fairly obvious. We started better in the second half, but then needed to get a goal back a bit earlier. It’s a pity, as this is a defeat that hurts.
“I am certainly disappointed, because we expected a different performance and result here tonight. It must make us work even harder going into the next games, so we should react immediately and show a different side to the team.”
The Champions of Italy now drop down to third place on 26 points, behind Atalanta on 27 and leaders Napoli with 32.
“This evening’s game was important to stay close to the leaders who are doing so well. Napoli are having an exceptional campaign, that is clear for all to see. Now we need to shelve this defeat and focus immediately on the next test, as our objective is close at hand.”
The next match is in the Champions League on Wednesday, as Milan need a point against RB Salzburg at San Siro to guarantee passage to the Round of 16.
“Their characteristics are not to defend and counter, their mentality, system and tactics will be I think completely different to Torino.”
Pioli is a great coach, they have a very important CL game Wednesday, so it was a good call.
I also noticed Pioli must get manicure look at his hand, his finger nails are perfectly trimmed and manicured perfect, or maybe he is hand model like George kastanza?
It is obvious that Milan want to prepare UCL match above serie a… It can be a nightmare if they lose to RB Salzburg…. Another El Toro…
No matter the result vs Salzburg, it won’t take the disgrace away from tonight’s performance. Complete and utter shambles. The players worked to make the game complicated.
Every team can’t always get a win, this is their off day.. it happens in football, no need to response like the end of the world. They will bounce back
According to someone above, Leao is very consistent! Thanks Pioli for proving my point!
The utter comedy and absurdity to question his consistency when he has contributed towards ten goals in eleven games 😂
Inclusive of the last seven matches of last season, he has nineteen goal contributions in seventeen games! But no no, leao isn’t consistent!
Pioli Sucks, he is not the wright coach for AC Milan, he plays to slow, he dont play one touch football, he dont play presure football. all the players of AC Milan play walking football. if you look at Napoli they play much faster. Pioli is old skool italian coach, AC Milan needs a coach who dares to play attacking football