Milan wasted a prime opportunity to solidify their position at the top of the Serie A table as they eked out a 2-2 draw at rock-bottom Salernitana. Frustrated with a poor result, Stefano Pioli slammed his side’s lackadaisical attitude and underwhelming overall performance in the post-match conference.
What should have been another day in the office for Milan turned into a nightmare. The Rossoneri were forced to come from behind to scrape a point at the Stadio Arechi despite taking an early lead through Junior Messias. Though it seems the Brazilian’s fifth-minute opener could set the tone for Milan’s routine victory, Salernitana had other plans.
Despite heading into proceedings without a manager following the club’s decision to sack Stefano Colantuono earlier this week, the Granata put on a spirited performance on display. Federico Bonazzoli punished Mike Maignan’s blunder in the 29th minute to send sides into the break on level terms.
Though the French goalkeeper has been rock-solid between the sticks this season, he nearly gave away another cheap goal midway through the second half. However, Alessio Romagnoli’s goal-line clearance saved him. Unfortunately for Milan, they failed to learn their lesson.
Milan Djuric found himself unmarked inside the six-yard box, directing his header into the bottom-right corner to complete the turnaround in the 72nd minute. Second-half substitute Ante Rebic then slotted home a devastating long-range effort to rescue a point for faceless Milan.
Well aware of the opportunity his side failed to capitalise on, Pioli blasted Milan’s thoroughly disappointing evening in Campania.
“The team did not play well in terms of technique and choices. We were frenetic, not clean in our passing, didn’t make the most of the spaces and paid a heavy price for some naïve errors,” he told Sky Sport Italia as relayed by TUTTOmercatoWEB.
“We had started strong and took the lead, but we should’ve been more balanced on their goals and read the situations better. We were too frenetic and had several big chances to restore our lead after the break, but didn’t take them.
Following back-to-back victories over Inter and Sampdoria, Milan appeared to have rediscovered their mojo. But they were a shadow of a team that came from behind to beat the Nerazzurri a fortnight ago. And Pioli conceded his side struggled to find their feet against Salernitana.
“We are disappointed because we didn’t play our usual football. Of course, we are disappointed, because we could’ve played better. The worrying thing is we started well, but then made mistakes that lately we haven’t been making and this frenetic energy took over, we were distracted on the goals with the preventative marking.
“It’s positive that we got it back for a draw, but we cannot deny we came here looking for the win. We’ve got to learn from our mistakes and do better next time.“