Stefano Pioli admits Milan’s own errors proved ‘costly at this level’ in the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, as they crashed out of the Champions League.
The Rossoneri knew they needed a miracle going into the final group game, as they had to beat Liverpool and hope Porto drew with Atletico Madrid, or that the Spaniards win without overturning the overall goal difference.
As it happened, Atleti won 3-1 in Portugal and Milan fumbled a Fikayo Tomori opener to lose 2-1, both times Mike Maignan making the save only for the Liverpool players to react quicker on the rebound.
“We knew this group was incredibly difficult, and so was tonight’s match, but unfortunately we were unable to keep a high enough tempo and we made too many mistakes, which at this level are costly,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia.
“There are regrets, because I think we deserved more, especially against Atletico Madrid and Porto at home. Having said that, it can happen at this level for such an inexperienced squad.
“We have seen the kind of opponents there are in Europe, the quality and focus needed, so we will learn from that. Remaining in Europe was our objective, but we will try to take the lessons from this experience and keep growing.”
Liverpool’s high press caused particularly problems for the Diavolo at San Siro this evening, but Pioli did not change approach.
“At times we could’ve tried a long ball over the top and skipped the midfield to make the most of Zlatan’s presence, but the biggest issue I think is that too often we played backwards rather than forward. For example, on the second goal we moved it backwards, inviting the press and that put pressure on everyone on the edge of our area.”
The two goals conceded tonight were very similar, as in both cases Maignan made a save and the Liverpool players were quickest to react on the rebound.
“I was a little surprised by Porto, but these are teams accustomed to the Champions League, whereas it was the first time for many of us, so we suffered a little in terms of mentality and preparation. We could’ve had more quality today and raised the tempo, but the first half was decent. We needed to stay solid and I think we did that until the equaliser.
“Unfortunately, conceding the second goal like that knocked the wind out of our sails, but we had chances to the end with Krunic, Messias and Kessie. This is the Champions League, our mistakes gave the goals away and it’s what we need to improve.
“It’s disappointing, but it will help the growth process and we needed experiences like this to make us stronger in future.”
Pioli also revealed he spoke to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp about the state of the pitch at San Siro, which is a world away from Anfield.
Many Milan fans will be happy to finish bottom of the group, as like Inter last season, it means they can now focus all their resources on chasing the Scudetto.
“It took Klopp several years of investments before he won with Liverpool, so it’s a process. We can only thank our fans for supporting us and use this to grow together.”
The ability to deal with the mistakes make you a good coach
Problem is that mistakes are not always made by coaches, like both goals today. Maignan had a bad evening and it was like that. 4 starters out, no bench…. and Liverpool bench warmers are good
Great job coach!
milan is an utter embarrassing team for Serie-A!
I was also very disappointed to see MIlan, like most Italian teams (save Atalanta), go down by one goal and just give up. No fight at all. No urgency to their game. They made it so easy on Liverpool. They barely got out of first gear. Sad because qualification was there, with Porto losing.
Some of Milan players should reconsider if they have a future as a footballer.bcoz they play like kicking the ball for the first time in their live.they can’t complete passes,they can’t win a 50-50 ball,the defendes are out run,they looked confused.directionless, Milan don’t deserve to top Seria A.am thinking is this the squad maldini built.there is no hope in this team.
pioli is not the right coach for ac milan, he plays a lot of defense, he also plays no pressure forward, also his game tempo is very low, he does not play one touch football and move without ball, the whole game of pioli is too slow, even if ac milan is 1-0 up, he immediately goes back to play football.
he must play in a diamond formation 4-4-2 with kessie as central midfielder, Tonali at the 10 position, Brahim Diaz with Zlatin in front, on the right side Saelemakers and at the left leao. brahim diaz is the man who can play between the lines and assist zlatan much more and you van play attacking pressure football.
When maignan signed, I said that it’s one thing being a good goalkeeper and another having the presence and personality to wear that shirt. Regrettably, he chose the two matches vs Liverpool to drop clangers. He could’ve easily come and collected the ball when salah scored at anfield but hesitated and probably chickened out of a collision and it proved costly. Last night his flapping and putting balls back into play directly assisted both Liverpool goals.
it was benevento in milan jersey yesterday, that’s not real milan. who will help lautaro Martinez in Europe? wasteful and lack confidence in front of goal. they need Christian vieri type.
The club should refund there supporters for that display. It was atrocious and embarrassing, outclassed by a Liverpool C team, at home!
They couldn’t put 3 passes together entire game..
Pioli needs to answer for that
Kessie is definitely not worth 9 Million what a miss I’m a little confused about why we didn’t get a penalty on the foul on Kessie 2 offenses on the same play still none called a foul 1) I believe at 2-1 the moment would have changed 2) I believed if the same thing happened at the Milan box they would have called it a penalty for some reason Milan had been out of luck with referee this champions league champagne . Guys remember Maignan was rushed back from a hand injury that should have kept whim longer I believe I was rushed back may be that’s why he is making those mistakes
@Tony d
Liverpool C team….
Becker – 70m
Konate – 40m
Tsimikas – 12m
Chamberlain – 40m
Salah
Mane
Able to bring on Keita, Fabinho, and Gomez…
When I read such comments on this website, you can understand why the countries these people come from are going nowhere in football, so they come to follow european leagues. Utterly laughable.
@ rosario if you think playing 3 first teamers is an excuse for being utterly outclassed on a game you needed to win… you shouldn’t be in the champions league…
There’s no excuse for not being able to make 3 passes all game, how are you top of serie a?
Spezia couldv put up better football…
Liverpool were there for the taking and you didn’t even pitch up…
First off…hats off to Liverpool on the win…deserved no doubt.
Hernandez…defensively he is average at best. Yesterday, he was dreadful. If he was not feeling well-which he wasn’t-don’t play him Pioli. I would rather see a u17 from the academy play who is healthy.
Diaz…please, please Milan players…play to his feet. Utterly useless and wasted running around.
Romagnoli…i salute you. Best player on the pitch yesterday for Milan. Everyone stating “move him out, he is sh*t, etc..”. These people are mind boggling.
Krunic…has no business starting. I would have started Saelmaekers or Florenzi over him.