Pioli: ‘Milan will work something out against Napoli without Leao’

Stefano Pioli reveals why he ‘should’ve worried’ about Rafael Leao’s red card earlier in the win over Sampdoria, but is confident Milan will ‘work something out’ against Napoli in his absence.

It was a chaotic match at Marassi, as Junior Messias had put the Rossoneri in front and Charles De Ketelaere had a goal disallowed for Giroud’s offside position.

Rafael Leao received a second yellow card for catching Alex Ferrari on the head with his overhead kick and Filip Djuricic got Samp back on level terms, but Giroud kept his cool to convert a penalty for Gonzalo Villar’s handling offence.

The reigning champions held on under pressure and thanked Mike Maignan for a double save to take home the victory.

“We played a good first half and could’ve scored more goals, but this was a hard-fought victory, we had to grit our teeth down to 10 men and the lads worked hard on every ball. Sampdoria had already held Juventus and Lazio here, so it was by no means easy,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia.

“We had told ourselves we wanted to make fewer technical errors and I think we did that today, so we’re on the right track.”

Pioli was particularly irritated with the first yellow card for lashing out an arm on Bartosz Bereszynski, more than the second for the overhead kick dangerous play on Ferrari.

“Apart from Leao’s foul, I think every time a striker defends the ball and the defender goes down, then he is booked. It’s disappointing, I had told him to be careful on the yellow, but he wanted to attempt this move. Never mind, someone else will play.”

Leao is suspended against Napoli, while Victor Osimhen is injured for the Partenopei. Which of the Scudetto contenders is damaged more?

“Both teams are missing a lot, but we’re missing both Leao and Ante Rebic, so both players who cover that role. We had to play 50 minutes with 10 men, we know there’s a big Champions League game coming up, so we’ll focus on that first, then see what to do against Napoli.

“Rafa is becoming a decisive figure in our attacking moves, but we have other alternatives and will work something out with different characteristics.”

Pioli also revealed a little behind the scenes information from the warm-up this evening.

“I saw Leao joking around a lot in the warm-up, but I told him he tends to play well when he’s that relaxed and he said don’t worry boss. In hindsight, I should’ve worried…”

De Ketelaere had found the net with a curious goal, deflecting the cross in with his shoulder, but it was disallowed over an offside position that was interfering with play.

“Charles is playing with more consistency now, he scored a goal and doing everything we ask of him with his immense talent.”

Sandro Tonali extended his contract this week to June 2027 and is increasingly a core figure in the club he always supported.

“Tonali is an important player, one of those lads who never stopped believing in his capabilities, in our potential, now has great character, quality and strength, but he also knows he can get stronger. Sandro feels so much a part of this club and brings that onto the field, it can make the difference.”