Stefano Pioli urges Milan to invest after securing Champions League qualification for the third season in a row. ‘If we want to be competitive in two tournaments, then clearly the squad needs to be improved.’
A point was necessary in Turin to secure their top four status and Olivier Giroud’s looping header locked down all three points for a 1-0 victory over Juventus.
It means the Diavolo, who reached the semi-final this season, will be in the Champions League again next term along with Napoli, Lazio and Inter.
There could still be five Italian teams in the tournament, if Roma beat Sevilla in the Europa League Final in Budapest on Wednesday.
“Clearly, the Champions League gave us much more than we expected and then we felt sad to go out in the semi-final with Inter, but our journey there was more than anyone saw coming,” Pioli told DAZN.
“At the same time, we did not do as well as expected in Serie A, but we are in the Champions League for the third season running, I don’t know how many years it had been since that happened.
“This was the first time we truly tried to be competitive in two tournaments and we were lacking somewhere, that is true. Now we enjoy this victory and qualification, it was an odd season for many reasons, to be without our main goalkeeper for several months, while players were also at the World Cup and that split in the season was strange for everyone. It took time to get their form back.”
The squad got together to celebrate in a huddle after the final whistle at the Allianz Juventus Stadium.
“The lads spoke, as is only right, as they were principal actors of this season. They celebrated a deserved victory, I can only thank my players. It’s true that in January and February we had a really difficult period, but they never stopped working, never stopped believing and we remained united.”
The transfer market was troubled as well, with players signed on a limited budget who are expected to grow and mature, like Charles De Ketelaere and Malick Thiaw.
Pioli was asked if this summer he would prefer to bring in players who are more ‘ready’ for the big stage.
“It always depends on the expectations and what we want to achieve. If we want to be competitive to try winning the Scudetto and do better in the Champions League, then clearly the squad needs to be improved. We need strong players to raise the level. I don’t mind if he is young or not, I like to coach young players, but we do need more options.
“If they are young, you must be prepared to wait for them, just like we did with Leao and Tonali, who were so criticised early on. The club is virtuous and must continue in the way it believes, but if we want to be competitive to win the title and progress in the Champions League, then we need strong players.”
Do Milan have the resources available to make a splash on the transfer market or will it be another summer pinching the pennies?
“That is a question for the club, not for me, Maldini and Massara communicate with the owners, they will know what to do and what resources are available.”
The biggest downturn in form was during January and February, when Pioli made a radical change by moving to a three-man defence.
“At that moment, we were no longer a team with that system. We didn’t change our ideas and principles, as we were if anything more aggressive with the three-man defence. I remain convinced we could only beat Tottenham playing that system.
“It was all I could do to change the inertia of a situation that was becoming too negative. I’m sure I made some mistakes along the way too, as are inevitable in any season.”