Milan coach Stefano Pioli reveals what Maurizio Sarri told him on the touchline and defends Christian Pulisic from accusations of lacking fair play after the chaotic 1-0 win over eight-man Lazio.
It was an ugly, chaotic and controversial match at the Stadio Olimpico with very few scoring opportunities and many arguments.
Inevitably, it descended into a brawl after the final whistle, as Lazio had seen three players sent off in the second half – Luca Pellegrini, Adam Marusic and Matteo Guendouzi – and Noah Okafor won it at the 88th minute.
“It was an ugly, tense match. We had a slow tempo in the first half and should’ve moved it around quicker, finding more space,” Pioli told DAZN.
“It was a balanced game with very few chances. We started better after the break and made the most of Lazio’s errors.”
The referee Marco Di Bello and VAR were the main protagonists, as there were penalty appeals for a Mike Maignan collision with Taty Castellanos and a Mario Gila own goal was also disallowed for Rafael Leao’s offside position.
Among the most contentious situations was the Pellegrini second yellow card, as he was trying to shepherd the ball out of play with Castellanos down holding his face after an accidental collision with Ismael Bennacer.
Pulisic pounced to stop it going out and was hauled back by Pellegrini.
“Sarri told me ‘The ball was going out of play’ – but the referee did not blow the whistle,” explained Pioli.
“Pulisic is a fair player, he did what he did. I don’t see why the onus should’ve been on us to put the ball out of play. If that is what they wanted, then why didn’t they do it?”
Lazio are down to 10-men against AC Milan as Luca Pellegrini sees red for this challenge… 😳 pic.twitter.com/XBZ8NBGZAq
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 1, 2024
It ended with three red cards, 10 yellows and a general sense of confusion, which also means Rafael Leao and Alessandro Florenzi will be suspended against Udinese.
“Keeping a clean sheet was important for us, we had conceded too many recently, despite not really allowing that many opportunities. We have the quality to score goals, both in those who start and off the bench.”
This result brings Milan to within a point of second-placed Juventus, who are in action against Napoli.
“The objective for this season is to consolidate or improve third place in Serie A, while the Europa League is also an objective, though Slavia Prague are a very strong team.”
There have been questions about Pioli’s future on the Milan bench that were further fuelled by comments from patron Gerry Cardinale.
“I am concentrated on what I am doing to make this a positive season,” replied the coach.
“We still have prestigious games to play. I never commented on the words of the owner, because he has the right and duty to make his own evaluations.
“We never lacked the right attitude, there was never a lack of faith or jealousy within the group. If we lost games, it was not down to a lack of unity.”
The first thing they teach kids is to play to the whistle. Pellegrini didn’t, so fully merited his second yellow card. As Pioli said – if Lazio wanted the ball out of play, why didn’t they put it out themselves?
Exactly @MC Miker G. When trying to force a var check, they put the ball out in the first half. There was also nothing wrong with Castellanos. play acting.