Stefano Pioli assures he is ‘more than happy at Milan’ and would love to stay, but admits they need to ‘raise the bar’ after a dramatic 3-2 win away to Frosinone.
The Rossoneri extended their unbeaten run to eight games in Serie A, but after last week’s 2-2 draw with Bologna, it was another roller coaster of a match at the Stadio Benito Stirpe.
Olivier Giroud had nodded them in front, then a Matias Soule penalty and Luca Mazzitelli angled drive turned it around, but Matteo Gabbia and substitute Luka Jovic completed the comeback for a 3-2 victory.
“Jovic is a decisive player who might not have that many minutes on the field, but he is making the most of the time he has,” Pioli told DAZN.
“I always considered him a quality player, I stimulate him every day to do more. We started shakily, unfortunately went behind, but once again our character allowed us to win a complicated and difficult match.”
This is hardly the first time that the Diavolo have been trailing and turned it around.
“The team believes in itself, has to do many things better, but we always have belief. I think we are much closer in this new year to the levels of Inter and Juventus, so we have to keep working on those little defects that we still have.”
Milan are currently on the same points total as during their Scudetto-winning campaign, a sign of just how well Inter and Juve are doing.
Giroud is one of only four players in the major five European leagues this season who both scored and assisted at least eight goals.
“Oli gives the team a great deal, both as a player and a man. Leao and Pulisic got a lot of crosses in from the wings, we could’ve packed the box a lot better to get people on the end of those balls.”
This is not a result to be snubbed, considering Frosinone had lost only to Napoli, Juventus and Monza on home turf this season.
“The higher the level goes, the more we have to raise the bar in every area. On the second goal, we were not concentrated enough and conceded where we shouldn’t.
“I don’t think Frosinone ultimately had many chances, so I would not say we are doing badly defensively, but we do need to work on the details.”
The fixture list is about to get tricky, as after Scudetto holders Napoli, there is the first leg of the Europa League tie with Stade Rennais.
“They are a quality team with pacey players, a strong midfield, so it is going to be tough. So are Napoli next week, so we need to make the most of having a full week of training.”
Tijjani Reijnders was booked against Frosinone, so he will be suspended for the Napoli match next weekend.
“He had been playing so often, it was inevitable he would need to stop eventually and now can be fresh for the Europa League. Ismael Bennacer is getting closer to full fitness, he has another week to get stronger and has different characteristics, but brings something to the team.”
The Derby d’Italia is tomorrow, so could Pioli hope for a draw so Milan can close on both Inter and Juventus?
“These two teams are dominating Serie A, deservedly, and also play very similar football, so on paper it could be a very balanced encounter.”
The last few days have seen repeated rumours about who could replace Pioli at Milan next season, from Antonio Conte to Maurizio Sarri.
“It doesn’t matter how I feel, the important thing is that the team and club are focused on the present. It is the present that prepares you for the future.
“I am too old to get irritated by certain rumours. The club has always evaluated my work at the end of the season and as always will decide.
“I am more than happy at Milan, I tried to give something to the players every day. If you ask me what my desire is, I say to do well for the rest of the season and then we’ll see.”
Pioli a DAZN: “Futuro? Io e il club concentrati sul presente, a fine anno si faranno valutazioni come sempre” https://t.co/pmMsq4sR2X
— MilanNews.it (@MilanNewsit) February 3, 2024