Stefano Pioli struggles to see the glass half-full for Milan after a 2-2 draw with Bologna and two wasted penalties. ‘We cannot let concentration drop that late in the day.’
This was a dramatic night at San Siro, as the Rossoneri came back from a Joshua Zirkzee goal to turn it around through a Ruben Loftus-Cheek brace, only for Riccardo Orsolini to convert a stoppage-time penalty.
It was a particularly bitter blow considering that during the game Milan failed to score twice from the spot, as Lukasz Skorupski denied Olivier Giroud and Theo Hernandez thumped his effort against the upright.
The last time Milan failed to convert two penalties in a single Serie A game was back in 1955 against SPAL.
“We leave with regrets that we did not win the game,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia.
“It’s true that there were two missed penalties, we had lots of chances and allowed Bologna a few too, but we had still been able to take the lead anyway and were ready to take the result home.
“We cannot let the concentration and intensity drop in defence that late in the day, the way we did on that penalty. It’s a pity, because we fought hard and also had a lot of quality to create all those opportunities.
“Considering the way it was going and to keep the positive streak going, it would’ve been an important victory.”
Substitute Filippo Terracciano made the costly error of pulling Victor Kristiansen’s shirt as Orsolini put a ball across the face of goal, which was spotted by VAR for the penalty.
“There were nine players in the box, yet we did not double up to support Theo Hernandez, did not cover the run and it’s a pity.”
Spot-kicks are becoming a costly problem for Milan this season, as they were already decisive in the Champions League exit, again with Giroud against Borussia Dortmund.
“Giroud and Theo are very good penalty takers. Unfortunately, it wasn’t their best night for that.”
The coach revealed that Rafael Leao joked about the situation after coming off as a substitute.
“Leao told me that he will take the next penalty. He takes them in training and doesn’t score that many, but it might go differently in the match situation.”
Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw by Empoli this evening, so a victory could’ve allowed them to close the gap on second place as well as just broken away from fourth.
“We are not happy, naturally, as many things would’ve been achieved with a win tonight. It would’ve been our fifth straight win, seven points more than at this stage last season, hitting the same points tally after 22 rounds that we had when we won the Scudetto.
“There are positives, but we proved again that there are areas where we need to work harder.”
Pioli was urged to see the glass half-full and struggled to put the disappointment behind him.
“We seek the results via the performances. We watched the 3-2 win away to Udinese and that final corner where three of our players fought for the ball, eventually led to the Noah Okafor winner. That is what we were lacking today.
“I agree that when a team misses two penalties and creates so many chances, also scoring two goals, means it was a good performance. The team has been playing well for some time now.
“It’s frustrating that we had so many players in the box and didn’t cover the areas we needed to on that last situation. A draw is not a win.”
This is the fourth game in a row where Milan have been in a leading situation and not killed it off, leaving a tense finale.
“I agree, the second half was certainly better than the first. Games do not end at the 90th minute, they often end at the 95th, so this will be another teachable moment going forward.”
Zirkzee has been linked with Milan, so Pioli was asked if he was impressed with the Dutchman this evening.
“He is a great player, certainly, but I was already watching him at Bayern Munich and then when he joined my beloved Parma. He has physicality, quality and everything you need in a striker.”
Pioli a Sky: "Sarebbe stato tutto positivo fino al 92esimo ma alle prestazioni devi abbinare il risultato. Zirkzee ha tutto" https://t.co/TfZ9o9EtHW
— MilanNews.it (@MilanNewsit) January 27, 2024