Stefano Pioli has ‘regrets’ over the Scudetto race, feeling there ‘isn’t a 14-point gap’ with Inter, hailing Rafael Leao and pledging his future to the club. ‘You don’t leave Milan.’
The Rossoneri did it all in the space of six minutes, as straight after the restart Rafael Leao assisted for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, then scored the second himself by dribbling around Fiorentina goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano to deposit into an empty net.
The hosts had temporarily equalised through Alfred Duncan, while Mike Maignan had to make some very tricky saves on Andrea Belotti and Rolando Mandragora, but the win means Milan are six points clear of third-placed Juventus.
This will always be a special fixture for Pioli, who was coach of Fiorentina when captain Davide Astori died in March 2018, and today was another emotional night with tributes to director Joe Barone.
“Clearly, returning to Florence – and especially today with what sadly happened again to Fiorentina – and what we experienced together with Davide, it is always emotional to be back here. This place gave me so much in the past when I was a player and then a coach,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia.
“As for the match, we played well, created many opportunities and I think deserved the victory in a place where we had always struggled before. It is not easy after the break for international duty, so I am particularly satisfied with this win.”
Considering they are six points clear of third-placed Juventus, are there regrets that Milan didn’t stay in the Scudetto race with Inter for longer?
“This is a good period of form, but it has been going for two or three months. The team is improving its solidity and everyone is ready to help in defence. If we do that, then naturally we have the quality in attack to cause anyone problems.
“Looking at the table does give us regrets, because I don’t think there is a 14-point difference between the two teams. Inter took advantage of a decisive month when we were struggling with injuries, lost two home games in a row to Juventus and Udinese, along with draws against Napoli and Lecce. In those four games, Inter picked up 12 points and they have been able to maintain that advantage.
“We changed at least a dozen players in the squad this season, we needed time to get to know each other, I had to work out how to get the best out of them. That is the most important thing a coach can do in his career.
“This season we have more quality with Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Chukwueze and Leao, midfielders who can pass the ball around well like Bennacer, Adli and Reijnders. We lost out in other characteristics, so must try to make up for it with focus, sacrifice, everyone running a little bit harder, which we didn’t have at the start of the season because we were still getting used to these movements.”
President Paolo Scaroni said before kick-off that he was ‘very fond’ of Pioli and wanted him to remain as coach next season, so does he feel the same way?
“How can you not be fond of Milan? A top club that puts you in a condition to give your best, fans who are extraordinarily enthusiastic. While the club should be planning for the future to be competitive in Italy and Europe, the rest of us should focus on the present and taking it one game at a time.”
While the reports swirled about those who could replace him on the San Siro bench, did Pioli ever consider his own future?
“I never had the slightest doubt. You don’t leave Milan. I know also that we are ambitious, that a top club always expects to win silverware. I am very happy at Milan, I’m pleased with the words of the President, the rapport I have with everyone at the club including Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I want to end the season on a high.”
Rafael Leao was inspirational this evening with a goal and an assist, but he admits that Milan helped him to grow and mature over the years.
“We accompanied him in his career and he let himself be accompanied, he was willing to learn. He is now right on the verge of becoming the great champion we always thought he could become. I see him doing so much better not just in his skill, but the attitude in training and during the match,” concluded Pioli.
“Of course Milan rely on him, just like Paris Saint-Germain rely on Kylian Mbappé and any other team looks to the quality of its individual talents. He can play in so many different ways, has strength as well as quality, he has everything that he needs.”