Milan coach Stefano Pioli believes his players ‘worked well in adversity’ to overcome a resilient Hellas Verona side. The Rossoneri went ahead thanks to an own goal from Miguel Veloso but has to fight back late to eventually win the match 2-1 with Sandro Tonali netting the last winner. Speaking to DAZN after the game, Pioli explained the importance of the win:
I like what my players say, we have to think like this. We need to win many games if we want to think about winning the Scudetto again. Once again in the difficulties, the team has been able to work well, we have individualities that allow us to find the winning play like that of Rebic for Sandro.
We expected Theo’s movement inside to cause issues for Verona’s flank, as when you have a player like Leao 1v1s are favourable. Every time Leao took the ball to the line, he put them in trouble. Theo wasn’t that involved because Faraoni followed him well. We suffered in the transitions because we brought so many men forward, that is true.
In this match, there were many motivations and above all to find the third consecutive victory in the league that we hadn’t yet managed, as well as the desire to continue doing well away. Now we will have a full week to recover energy and work well, we will have time to prepare seven games in twenty days.”
The new arrivals? It certainly wasn’t an easy match for Adli. They man-mark almost everywhere on the field. It was the first from start, some difficulties are normal to expect. Thiaw, Vranckx, and Dest arrived less than two months ago, they are young guys who come from different leagues. They have great potential and a great desire to work. I’m sure they will be ready soon.
Origi is finally fine, he got rid of the bad injury that blocked him: he didn’t feel free and loose. He finally made a left-footed shot, it’s an important sign for him. We have two strikers that we can switch between. Rebic has finally recovered completely, now I’ll have to give Messias minutes too. I hope to recover Mike, Kjaer, Charles this week, because playing so often the mental energies are hard to recover and therefore I need many players.”
