Stefano Pioli assures there will be ‘no psychological blowback’ from the 5-1 derby defeat to a ‘smarter and sharper’ Inter, because Milan must focus on the Champions League and Newcastle United.
The Rossoneri had hoped to draw a line under last season’s Derby della Madonnina disasters, having lost four in a row between Serie A, the Supercoppa Italiana and the Champions League semi-finals, in which they failed to score a single goal and conceded seven.
Instead, it was an even heavier defeat, falling 5-1 this evening in the Serie A top of the table showdown and this might be harder to deal with psychologically this early into the campaign.
“We conceded goals during the moments when we seemed like we could get it back on track. The second goal was particularly damaging, as we misplaced passes and gave it away,” Pioli told DAZN.
“We were distracted on their counter-attacks and that was the case more or less throughout. We got back into it deservedly, as we were dominating possession, only to then immediately concede a third goal and that knocked the wind out of our sails.
“It is disappointing to lose a derby, especially by such a wide scoreline, but we were in it until the third goal. At times, Inter were certainly smarter and sharper than we were in decisive moments. This is the gap we saw today with Inter. We clearly can do better and will work to understand those situations better. It is natural at the start of a season with so many changes that we can still have a few difficulties.
“I will keep the 70 minutes, but the final 15 are to be wiped out, because we simply stopped playing and that shouldn’t happen.”
There were appeals from Milan players after the opening goal, within five minutes, as there were two possible shoves in the build-up.
“I have no comment, the referee made his decision and that’s fine. As I said, they were smarter than us and we should’ve been on our toes more.”
The defence was forced into changes for this match by the Fikayo Tomori ban and injury to Pierre Kalulu, but it was Malick Thiaw rather than Simon Kjaer who seemed to be struggling, especially against Marcus Thuram.
In turn, Inter sat very deep and were devastating on the counter-attack with pace.
“Everyone knows Inter are very tough to break down, that they sit back and wait. We should’ve stretched them a bit wider. Then after the early goal, the game got on the tempo that Inter wanted and they made the absolute most of it, converting most of their attacking opportunities.
“We did create chances and situations to hurt them, but were not effective enough in front of goal.”
It was noted last season that Inter had immense strength in depth compared to Milan, and while that gap has perhaps been reduced this summer, it is still there.
“I barely had time to make the substitutions when we gave away a penalty. It is then not easy for a player to come on in that situation. Inter are a strong team, but I remain convinced that we are a strong team too who can challenge for the top spots this season. We have many new players who perhaps do not know Serie A very well and they must be given time to learn and develop.”
Milan need to get back on track straight away, because on Tuesday the Champions League group phase kicks off by facing Sandro Tonali’s Newcastle United at San Siro.
“The important thing now is to prepare for the Champions League. My team is mature and will be able to analyse what went wrong so that we can do better on Tuesday. There is certainly no risk of psychological blowback in the Champions League. It is only the start of the season and we have what it takes to be competitive.
“This is the classic match that helps you to grow in the long run, even though the result is far too heavy considering the way we played.”
AC very strong too?! After such a result? How can you say that you crazy idiot!!!