Milan started off the year on the right foot by beating Salernitana 2-1 at the Stadio Arechi, but coach Stefano Pioli stressed it is just ‘a little step’ needed in order to reach bigger goals.
The Rossoneri paved the way for the victory in the first half by scoring twice through Rafa Leao and Sandro Tonali, but Pioli believes his side should have killed off the game before conceding a late goal.
“We had a good game, but there are many situations in which we can still improve”, he told Sky Sport after the match.
“We started well but we weren’t able to kill the match earlier.
“It was important to win, though. We knew we had been working well, although some friendlies didn’t go the way we wanted. But it is just a little step we needed to take to move toward bigger goals”.
Leao put Milan ahead after 10 minutes by scoring the first Rossoneri goal in 2023, proving the recent transfer rumours are not enough to distract him.
“I spoke with him and I told him that his growth process with us isn’t over yet”, Pioli said.
“I see him happy and willing to stay here.
“Today, he proved he can be a champion. He worked with the right attitude and consistency”.