Stefano Pioli feels Milan were ‘too hasty in the final third’ after SPAL went down to 10 men, only scraping a last-gasp equaliser with an own goal.
Mattia Valoti had turned in after a corner and Sergio Floccari scored a stunner from distance, but despite dominating the game against 10 men for an hour, it took a stoppage-time own goal to get a point after Rafael Leao’s effort.
Stefano Pioli feels Milan were ‘too hasty in the final third’ after SPAL went down to 10 men, only scraping a last-gasp equaliser with an own goal.
Mattia Valoti had turned in after a corner and Sergio Floccari scored a stunner from distance, but despite dominating the game against 10 men for an hour, it took a stoppage-time own goal to get a point after Rafael Leao’s effort.
“It was a step backwards in terms of result, because we wanted to continue the winning run, but unfortunately we conceded on a set play and that goal from Floccari. Then when SPAL went down to 10 men, we got hasty and didn’t realise we had all the time in the world to turn this around.
“We weren’t sharp enough in front of goal, we were too hurried and hasty in the final third,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia.
“It was the right approach, but we can do much better in terms of technique and precision. I thought Lucas Paqueta had a good game. He needs to be more decisive, but he has the quality to be a decisive player. Until he becomes a player who can win games for you, it means I still have work to do with him.”
The Rossoneri are now just one point clear of Hellas Verona and have a run of fixtures coming up against Lazio, Juventus and Napoli.
“These are three difficult, but also exciting games, as we have the quality to hurt these teams. I hope at the end of the season, our position will be better than seventh place, because we are not far off Napoli and Roma. We’re still missing that something which allows us to win the games we ought to be winning.”
Pioli was asked about the constant speculation on Ralf Rangnick taking over next season.
“I am working with passion and professionalism, because I love these players. I am not thinking about another coach, we’ll see what happens, but I am within this situation now and want to focus on the present.
“I am not anxious, nor do I feel that I am a sacrificial lamb. I am very proud to be the coach of Milan and I do this job with passion.”