Stefano Pioli said Milan winger Alexis Saelemaekers ‘apologised to the whole team’ after the sending off against Cagliari on Monday.
The Belgian youngster was brought on after 66 minutes to replace Jens Petter Hauge, but only eight minutes later he was sent down the tunnel with a second yellow.
Cagliari pushed for a comeback but Milan held out and secured a 2-0 win thanks to two goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Pioli said Saelemaekers ‘was heartbroken’.
Stefano Pioli said Milan winger Alexis Saelemaekers ‘apologised to the whole team’ after the sending off against Cagliari on Monday.
The Belgian youngster was brought on after 66 minutes to replace Jens Petter Hauge, but only eight minutes later he was sent down the tunnel with a second yellow.
Cagliari pushed for a comeback but Milan held out and secured a 2-0 win thanks to two goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Pioli said Saelemaekers ‘was heartbroken’.
“The boy is growing up and he apologised to the whole team,” Pioli told MilanTV. “He was heartbroken.
“I don’t want to defend him, but they were two undeserved yellow cards. It’s true, however, that he must be more lucid and must grow from this mistake and not get caught up in the frenzy.
“He made this mistake in Naples too, but I liked his attitude after the match.”
Saelemaekers and Alessio Romagnoli – who picked up his fifth booking – are now suspended for the match against Atalanta.