Stefano Pioli insists Milan were defeated by a ‘non-existent penalty’ in the Coppa Italia quarter-final with Atalanta, but admits also they ‘could’ve reacted better’ to that incident.
The Rossoneri had taken the lead through Rafael Leao combining with Theo Hernandez, but Teun Koopmeiners equalised a minute later and then converted a controversial penalty.
Replays seemed to suggest that Alex Jimenez got his toe to the ball before Aleksei Miranchuk.
“I think we played a very good first half, deservedly took the lead, and then were extremely naïve. We should’ve defended much better on the equaliser, but the truth is that the game changed with a non-existent penalty,” Pioli told Mediaset.
“After that, we lost our heads, lost our shape and our control of the game. We struggled to take back that balance and control we had in the first half.”
There had also been confusion in the first half when Tijjani Reijnders appeared to push Marten de Roon into Matteo Gabbia, but VAR did not intervene there either.
“It is honestly difficult, there is so much debate on VAR, but that was not a penalty because our player got the ball first, because the Atalanta player was going down even before the contact. It’s a negative evening.
“We could’ve reacted better. I do understand the frustration of the players going 2-1 down like that after doing well, but there was still plenty of time to get back into it and we didn’t take those chances that we created.
“It’s really a pity, as it was a balanced encounter and that incident completely changed the game.”
Luka Jovic seemed entirely anonymous this evening and barely touched the ball, whereas Rafael Leao took more control of the attacking approach down the left.
“He did less well today, but I don’t think it was exclusively his fault, as Atalanta blocked off those passing channels and didn’t allow us to find him. We also should’ve opened up more spaces to use him, but we didn’t do that.”
It is another disappointment for Milan, who had already crashed out of the Champions League and dropped into the Europa League.
Incredibile… https://t.co/BpJI5RXeyU
— Rafael Leão (@RafaeLeao7) January 10, 2024
It’s slowly turning into a fruitless season. I think we should concentrate all our energy in finishing in the top 4. We currently 3rd and we have had a lot of new signings this season. I expect the new players to be fully integrated next season and I think only 2 or 3 players need to come in to fine tune this squad. I think champions League qualification is our sole priority now. Forza Milan!
Aw dear.
Pioli is on fire!!!!