Milan coach Stefano Pioli believes their match against Roma will be ‘decisive’ for their final league standing. The Rossoneri boss was speaking after his side’s 2-0 win over Lecce which included a brace from Portuguese winger Rafael Leao. The victory pushes Milan up to 5th place in the table after Juventus saw their points penalty revoked, and still keeps them on course for Champions League football next season. Speaking with DAZN (as quoted by Sky Sport Italia) post match, Pioli reiterated that the team have to focus on the league for the moment, despite their upcoming semi-final Milan Derby with Inter, and explained why he thinks Rafael Leao can score more goals:
“We have the Champions League dream, but now we have to focus on the championship. The direct clash in Rome will be important.”
“Leao? He needs to score more, there are few full-backs who can keep up with him physically. Rafa is 1.90m, he can jump over everyone but he needs to be more inside the area and attack the far post more.”
“The match? There was the patience but not the lucidity of managing the last quarter of the pitch. We played the whole game and we had the strength to win it without risking almost anything. Krunic becoming more and more important? At the beginning he was more of an substitute midfielder, now he is more of creator. He is an important player. Today I liked how Bennacer played.”
“Champions League? I told the team that today’s and the game against Roma are two decisive games that will determine our final placement. We know how important it is to do better in the league and try to win as many games as possible. Leao versus Lukaku? We will expect two fantastic matches, to be experienced with great excitement. But now there is the championship, and the next one with Roma will be a direct clash that is worth double.”
