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.”