It was a job well done for AC Milan in the Coppa Italia last 16 against Cagliari tonight, and Stefano Pioli was pleased to get a win while giving key players rest.
Pioli chose to name quite an interesting starting line-up which featured the likes of Antonio Mirante, Jan-Carlo Simic, Alex Jimenez, Luka Romero and Chaka Traore against an also rotated Cagliari side.
Peppe Di Stefano spoke to Sky before the game about Pioli’s decision to rotate so heavily, given that it is a game in a competition in which Milan were knocked out at the first hurdle last season and haven’t won it for 21 years.
He revealed that it was a decision supported by the club’s management given the focus being on a top four finish and on the Europa League, but in the end it would pay off as Luka Jovic (x2), Chaka Traore (in his first start) and Rafael Leao netted in a 4-1 win to secure progress to the quarters.
Pioli spoke to Mediaset immediately after the game to reflect on what was a positive and confident performance from a heavily rotated side, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
There were many young players on the field tonight…
“We started off a little slow, some guys were a little excited, but after the goal we loosened up. I’m happy with their performances.
“The youngsters have changed, now it’s more easy to train the more experienced ones. Their attitudes give us hope, the youth sector has done a great job.
“They can stay with us, so they will no longer be considered just options, but alternatives when needed. We wanted this victory and we approached this match in the right way.”
Is the Coppa Italia a real target for Milan, despite the rotation?
“We care. Tonight there were two priorities, namely preserving those who played the most and fielding a team eager to win. We want to try, the Coppa Italia is one of our objectives, as is the Europa League.”
Were your selection choices lucky madness or risking it all?
“Absolutely not risking everything. I made some clear choices for our moment and for how I saw the boys. The priority was to preserve certain players.
“Loftus-Cheek and Bartesaghi had a fever, Kjaer can’t play three games in a row, Leao was coming back from an injury. The boys have shown that they deserve this chance.”
Luka Jovic is in a great run of form…
“He has great qualities, he must believe in it even more. He arrived when he wasn’t in condition, now he’s well physically and mentally, he must insist and continue with these ambitions and motivations.”
Pioli had a good balance to the lineup today.
The team put out, on paper, should be winning this match, and they did that!
Credit to Pioli. I would like to see Simic and Romero particularly, get a few more minutes.
The side needs players like Simic, Chuk, Adli, and Romero to develop quickly, so that the club doesn’t have to go searching into the market come summer, for a player who isn’t a known quantity.
The only players they need to recruit from here on out, are those that are absolutely level or above the level (without doubt) of those we already have.
Like Jovic.
Many have questioned him, but I thought it was a shrewd deal when it was made. He’s clearly very talented and imho, is a better version of Arnautovic at Inter.
If we aim for players (positionally) of unquestionable ability……like Jovic and Pulisic, then we cannot really fail long term.
But Pioli did very well today, and should keep pushing the young players while also shielding them and letting them develop good habits instead of chaos that many suggest by throwing in youth at all costs. That is always detrimental.
Pioli Pioli Pioli. Forza Pioli.
Pioli has hindered the development of these players changing formation and not rotating enough. I claimed from this summer that we have at least one player who can contribute to the first team immediately and that is Simic. He is already developed player. And it was very clear after his summer play as RB against Vinisius. What a talent Simic is!
But yesterday we saw Jimenez and I am telling you — we have Theo back up! What a guy! Speed, dribbling, vision. I al very impressed.
So why we didn’t see them in Seria? Because Pioli is stubborn like an outdated maple sirup.
“But yesterday we saw Jimenez and I am telling you — we have Theo back up! What a guy! Speed, dribbling, vision. I al very impressed.”
Weeelll… He didn’t have to defend at all so there’s also that. A defender needs to defend too. Too early to say anything about that.
Stefano Pioli you have done a perfect job for us, but In series a we need Traore, Jimenez, Romero, Bartasaghi,to get more minutes
Even we also need simic in the first eleven he did a perfect job in improving solidity
We still need that Real Betis defender for more experience at the backline based on the fact that we are in the Europa League which is also our target as a team that needs to get these two trophies for this season.
Adli also needs to be used consistently just in case other players are injured and can’t play.
The rotation of the team also with the youngsters so that they can all blend together with the team for better results.
Lastly one additional striker to ease the stress on Giroud because of his age, and with these important additions, the coppa Italia and the Europa League are amazing trophies that can be achieved with Milan.
Forza Milan, keep up the game, and more tactics to your elbow, Stefano Pioli