Stefano Pioli confessed Milan have improved in their attitude, but it was “not a good performance” against Brescia, while Lucas Paqueta “told me he wasn’t focused.”
Ante Rebic came off the bench yet again to make the difference, as his third goal in four games secured a 1-0 victory at the Stadio Rigamonti.
It’s the first time all season that Milan have won four in a row between Serie A and the Coppa Italia.
Stefano Pioli confessed Milan have improved in their attitude, but it was “not a good performance” against Brescia, while Lucas Paqueta “told me he wasn’t focused.”
Ante Rebic came off the bench yet again to make the difference, as his third goal in four games secured a 1-0 victory at the Stadio Rigamonti.
It’s the first time all season that Milan have won four in a row between Serie A and the Coppa Italia.
“This was not a great Milan. We can play much better, show more quality, but we do know how to hang in there now and believe the moment will come eventually, which it often does now,” the coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“I think we need to improve. The last few results are satisfying, this is the right determination and attitude, but we have to do better on a technical and tactical level if we want to aim higher.
“We are a completely different team from when we started. We changed a few tactics, positions on the pitch, but also the desire to play the game and suffer in difficult moments. We realised tonight how tough Serie A really is, because Brescia caused us problems and created scoring opportunities.
“We made too many mistakes, especially in our passing and when trying to play out from defence, and that made it even tougher for us.”
Is it a coincidence that the upturn in fortunes came at the same time as Zlatan Ibrahimovic joined?
“Ibra is certainly an added value to the team, he brings quality, determination and character, but the whole team has come together to recover after the really traumatic defeat to Atalanta.”
Pioli was asked about Paqueta’s request not to be part of the squad coming to Brescia, amid transfer speculation.
“Lucas is going through a tough time. Obviously, I’d have preferred for him to come with us, as until yesterday he didn’t say anything. He told me that he wasn’t focused and relaxed, so I had to accept it was better for him to stay home rather than be a passive presence.”