Stefano Pioli admits Milan made too many unforced errors, especially in a Champions League game, but hopes this 3-0 defeat will ‘help us to grow and find even more determination.’

The Rossoneri were missing 12 players through injury and squad restrictions, so had several out of position, but still that is no excuse for a totally toothless performance at Stamford Bridge.

The marking on Thiago Silva was non-existent on set plays, leading to the opening Wesley Fofana goal, then Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tapped in a cross and Reece James blasted into the near top corner from a tight angle.

The only genuine Milan attack was on the stroke of half-time, Charles De Ketelaere firing straight at the goalkeeper and Rade Krunic turning the rebound over.

“We should’ve done better, that’s for sure. We didn’t start badly, but then lost our shape and made errors even without their press, so when you make this many mistakes against an opponent of that quality, it becomes complicated,” the coach told Sky Sport Italia.

“The absentees are irrelevant, I thought the team was ready to play this game and knew the dangers, but despite that we kept losing the ball straight away or making the wrong pass, so allowed too much space to Chelsea.

“Defeats must help us to grow, to find even more determination and concentration. It’s a bad defeat, that is for sure, but we have the opportunity to prove what kind of a team we are on Saturday.”

That is when Milan will take on Juventus in a Serie A showdown to keep up with joint leaders Napoli and Atalanta.

Theo Hernandez is expected to be back for next week’s return fixture against Chelsea at San Siro, but the injury crisis remains extensive.

“The squad was naturally disappointed, angry that they didn’t put in the best performance, but that will motivate us for the future.”

6 thought on “Pioli: ‘Milan made too many mistakes with Chelsea’”
  1. He used his first sub at 65′ down 3-0 and he complains about the players? he keeps starting awful Krunic yet he complains? i like Pioli but playing Krunic is an atrocity that boils my blood.

  2. In order for Milan to compete at this level, every critical player needs to be available. tonight, there was next to no proper champions league experience on that pitch. Gave 3 points away in the most horrendous manner. Need to be humble, work hard and eradicate pitiful mistakes.

  3. The bench might be good enough to grind out results against the likes of Empoli, but Dest, B-Toure, Krunic, Tata are not fit to appear in a Champions league game. Hopefully Milan will be able to manage a draw against Chelsea at home and keep qualification hopes alive. Theo and hopefully Maignan and Messias will be back for the last two Champions league games, which will be crucial in this group.

  4. It’s a light squad which needs quality replacements in 5 or 6 areas. This result is down to penny-pinching and under-investment, pure and simple.

  5. UCL Matchday 3 and 4 are always maturity-proving games for Milan every time. I really hope we do get something out of the return leg. It’s a mini knock-out round at this stage with profound impact on who will go thru for last 16.

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