Stefano Pioli insists the Scudetto will ‘go down to the wire’ and there are no favourites between Milan, Napoli and Inter after another stalemate against Torino. ‘I don’t see an anxious team.’
The Scudetto is no longer technically in the Rossoneri’s hands, because they are two points clear of an Inter side with a game in hand, to be played against Bologna.
Pioli was booked after the final whistle for dissent, as the frustration at a second consecutive 0-0 draw, this time against Torino, took its toll.
“I told the referee there was no point telling us he’d speed the game up when there are so many stoppages, so much time-wasting. I was irritated, but did not lack respect,” Pioli told DAZN.
It’s clear where the problem is, as while Milan kept six consecutive clean sheets, they also scored only four goals in the same period.
“We did everything to move around and give the opposition few reference points. Torino are tough for everyone to score against, we didn’t have many scoring opportunities, but had plenty of half-chances.
“We battled ball for ball, duel for duel, but we are missing that moment of magic at the end. It’s a positive result, but we wanted the victory.”
Napoli faltered today with a shock 3-2 home defeat to Fiorentina, yet they too are still in the running.
“For the past two or three weeks, whoever is dubbed the favourites tends to slip up. It is a very competitive league, every game is tough and you can take nothing for granted.
“We tried everything this evening, knowing we can do better too. I don’t see a team that is anxious or irritable. We tried to create chances, were balanced, solid. We all know how much these games mean, because the more time goes on, the more weight each point has.
“We wanted this pressure and to put ourselves in this situation, so we need to welcome it. This is a young squad, we are up there and fighting it out for something special.”
Pioli was asked who are the favourites for the Serie A title as things now stand.
“I do not like to think that way. Don’t forget in the last three weeks people have said we were the super favourites, then Napoli, then Inter. It’s going to go down to the wire.”
You do not win anything with nice guys like Pioli and it certainly doesn’t help when you have no bench, old players and just rubbish players in general. I mean come on lets get real Messias was with Crotone and the less said about Brahim the better. How Juventus are not ahead of them is a mystery even with PhD Max.
It’s still a 4 horse race. 4 lame horses, but still 4.
Juve still have a minor chance. Not because they are much good, but because of how bad the other three are.
The issue really now just comes down to quality. People bang on about quality all of the time but quality or a lack thereof did not explain Milan‘s performances over the past 10 years. Milan always had a better squad of players than 2 or 3 teams who finished above them, it was just the constant chaos off the pitch and a lack of a qualified manager that was the reason we kept finishing nearer to mid-table.
To finish in the top 4 in Serie A, a team just needs some semblance of coherence and organisation which Milan have finally had in the past 2 years. It also needs a decent manager. None of the coaches of the top 3 teams have won a Scudetto so they’re all novices. However to take the next step both to win the title and to challenge in Europe we need quality. And that quality has to be in the final third.
Again people talk about quality in the first two thirds, but the reality is that in the first two thirds the key is solidity and teamwork which mainly comes from playing consistently together. Kalulu and Tomori haven’t even played that many games together but they clearly have quality to provide a platform for a title challenge. Let’s forget about defenders and having 4 perfectly formed options (which we already do). The key thing is in attack.
Milan‘s two weakest players are in the positions where we need our best: No 10 and on the right wing. Our No 10 needs to be a next-level-player. Brahim has been appalling (and I’d note that if Daniel Maldini or some other youth player put in a half like Brahim has done recently he’d be hauled off at half time). With the few games remaining I think we need to try and get Ibra fit and stick him in the hole or play 442 with Rebic. We need goals.
The Three Stooges. Juve will walk it next year.
You are right norata with PhD Max Juve plays at walking pace anyway lol.