Stefano Pioli commented on what he noticed within the pleasant in opposition to Juventus.
After shedding 3-2 to Actual Madrid within the first pleasant of the Soccer Champions Tour 2023, Milan took on Juve within the European night time between Thursday and Friday.
Coach Stefano Pioli fielded a robust XI at Dignity Well being Sports activities Park with new signings Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Tijjani Reijnders and Christian Pulisic taking part in from the primary time, alongside the likes of Theo Hernández, Oli Giroud, Rafa Leão.
It was an odd recreation, full of fouls and interruptions and it by no means actually bought to a excessive rhythm. All of the objectives had been scored from useless ball conditions: Malick Thiaw (23′) headed the ball previous Wojciech Szczęsny, earlier than Danilo (33′) equalized by making the most of a large number within the Milan protection following a nook. Olivier Giroud (38′) gave Milan the lead again following a nook routine, however Giroud (48′) then scored an personal purpose and headed the ball to the fallacious web to make it 2-2.
By the 60′ minute, each Pioli and Max Allegri modified their whole staff and it was principally rubbish time from then on. After 90 minutes which resulted in a 2-2, the sport went to penalties. Juventus received the shoot-out 4-3, with Luka Romero, Tommaso Pobega and Davide Bartesaghi failing to attain for the Rossoneri. Marco Sportiello saves two penalties, but it surely wasn’t sufficient.
“I don’t agree that it’s a step again from the sport the opposite night time,” Pioli advised reporters within the post-match presser. “Lots of those that began the sport have been again precisely 7 days, together with journey and plenty of different issues to type out. We are attempting to construct our play, seeking to learn the areas out there left by the opposition, whether or not or not it’s out huge or inside, or one other teammate isn’t essential. We’re attempting to range our play, to have the ability to dominate the sport a bit extra.”
On Calabria’s harm: “Davide looks like simply suffered from muscle fatigue, which is kind of regular on this interval. We bought him off rapidly so I hope [he can return quickly].”
On Pulisic: “Christian’s health is getting higher, like everybody else’s within the group. We’ve been again working for simply 2 weeks. He’s a versatile and clever participant: he can play on the left, on the fitting, in behind the striker… He’s actually going to be actually essential in our assault.”
On the brand new signings: “Our new gamers are glorious gamers, however they want time to settle in, even when they’re gamers with some expertise. It’s not their first expertise; they’re mature however taking part in with one other staff in a distinct league in opposition to totally different opposition in a brand new type of play… I’m actually happy with their motion on the pitch within the video games, however clearly we are able to do higher in many various conditions.”
On the arrival of Chukwueze: “We spoke a number of instances by video name. We’re actually joyful as a result of we needed somebody with these traits. Clearly, the extra attacking choices we’ve got, the higher. If he’s joyful, it’s proper as a result of he’s a quick and technical participant, robust in 1v1 and assaults deep areas. He appears an entire huge ahead, however till the gamers have educated you possibly can’t choose fully. It’s unhappy he’s not at present with us, as a result of lately would have been essential, however he’ll be with the squad once we return again to Milanello in August. He’ll have on a regular basis wanted to combine into the group.”
On switching positions between Leão and Pulisic: “I imagine the change this night was following a useless ball from a place that they rightly software up on the pitch however I imagine we’ve got two very particular gamers: Leão is powerful on the left, Chukwueze on the fitting and one [Pulisic] who could make an essential on either side, and even in behind the middle ahead. This can give us extra choices this season.”
On the subsequent pleasant in opposition to Barcelona: “These video games are essential as a result of they’ll get us in the fitting situation to begin the league marketing campaign. We needed these powerful video games, and as we noticed from the sport between Arsenal and Barcelona, the subsequent recreation might be an actual take a look at and really difficult, however that’s what we would like and wish. Every recreation teaches you one thing new, we’ll look to take one thing from all of them so we attain the beginning of the season in the very best form.”
