Milan head coach Stefano Pioli revealed in the post-Genoa game that his men use the pressure as ‘nothing but positive energy.’ After back-to-back goalless draws with sub-par opponents, the Rossoneri claimed an all-important 2-0 win over the relegation-battling visitors on Friday.
Goals from Rafael Leao and Junior Messias made the difference at the San Siro as Milan regained the top place in the Serie A standings from fierce rivals Inter. Simone Inzaghi’s men brushed Spezia aside 3-1 to pile the pressure on the Rossoneri, but the seven-time European champions reacted well.
Pioli has seemingly addressed his side’s defensive woes, with Friday’s clean sheet marking their sixth Serie A game without conceding. More importantly, Milan netted twice against Genoa after a run of six league matches in which they scored one or fewer goals.
Gearing up for a hectic season finale, Pioli’s men are going toe-to-toe with Inter and Napoli for what would be their first Scudetto in over a decade. According to the Rossoneri manager, his men use the pressure as a source of motivation, admitting he also has doubts of his own.
“Now we have to feel the pressure as nothing but positive energy, because we are challenging for something that when we started working together was unthinkable,” Pioli said in the aftermath, as relayed by TUTTOmercatoWEB.
“I have the same doubts every day in training, whether I ought to crank up the pressure or lessen it. Ultimately, I have to expect a lot from them, it’s only right to believe in our capabilities. We have made such a strong journey to get here and we want to get back to being a winning club, so we need to make that effort.”