Stefano Pioli was unstoppable on the touchline during Milan‘s win over Napoli on Sunday, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia challenged Alessandro Florenzi after earning a corner kick in the second half.
Football Italia was among the accredited media at San Siro on Sunday night when the Rossoneri secured a 1-0 win over the Partenopei, cementing their third placement in the Serie A table. Here are three things you didn’t see on TV on Sunday.
Pioli
The Italian tactician was unleashed on the touchline and was repeatedly urged by the fourth official to remain inside his technical area while giving instructions to his players. Pioli knew the Napoli game was crucial for the Rossoneri’s hopes to finish in the top four and his body language reflected the importance of the match. The Parma-born tactician briefly celebrated Theo Hernandez’s opener in the first half but immediately called Yacine Adli to give him tactical guidance. He did the same in the final minutes when he nearly entered the pitch to suggest to Luka Jovic how to defend from set pieces with the Partenopei pushing for the equaliser.
Kvara
At one of those moments, Napoli star Kvaratskhelia was literally challenging the whole Rossoneri defence trying to find a way through and level the score. At some point, he dribbled past two Rossoneri defenders and entered the box, but he could only earn a corner kick, given that Florenzi managed to track back and deflect Kvara’s cross. Florenzi thought the Georgian star was the last one to touch the ball before it crossed the line, so he asked for a goal kick, but the Napoli ace looked at his opponent in disbelief and pointed his finger at him, urging him not to complain.
Leao
The Portuguese ace offered another hot and cold performance as he did deliver the assist for Theo’s winner, but wasted a goal-scoring opportunity in the second half, upsetting the San Siro crowd. However, Rafa was rightly in the mood to celebrate after the final whistle and was seen dancing in front of the Curva Sud with his teammates at the end of the match. The atmosphere at San Siro was unbelievable last night, even louder than usual. The Rossoneri supporters sang for 90 minutes and beyond and Leao enjoyed the atmosphere after the final whistle, following a key victory for the Diavoli.