Milan coach Stefano Pioli admitted to feeling ‘bitter’ about their 2-2 draw against Roma at the San Siro. The Rossoneri were 2-0 up and seemed to seeing out the game in the closing stages before two late Roma goals pegged them back injury time. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Pioli couldn’t hide his frustration at two points dropped and explained why he thought the substitutions he made would help close out the match:
“Not to win a game played like this is a shame. What do you tell the team in these cases? That you have to keep playing like this but the games last more than 85 minutes. We messed up our own lives.
The changes were to put fresh energy in. The extra midfielder and the extra defender were meant to raise the defensive line and increase the distance. After such a game it is difficult to talk to the team, it is clear that we are disappointed.
There a cleverness from Dybala in looking for the foul from which their equalizer was born. When you give hope to a team it is clear that they try. It would have served to defend better in those situations; it’s a pity we didn’t bring home a game that was prepared and played well.
I hope to recover some players, I don’t have the certitude. The team is well, even if the break was long and we play immediately with great continuity every three days. We worked with care and attention, but playing immediately loaded to a certain point. In any case, the problem is not the physical condition, because we played two very good games. We need to work better on situations.
The opponents are going strong, it was not the draw we wanted. We will try to do better in the next matches. The renewals of Leao and Bennacer? I don’t know if the optimism is justified, honestly I would like to stop talking about contracts and injuries, for the other issues there are others who are talking about them. I see that the guys give their all and that is the most important thing.”
