Milan succumbed to a hapless stalemate against a rather stern Bologna side, who remain without an away league win since December 2021. Failing to overcome their Emilia-Romagna adversaries, the Rossoneri let the foot off the gas after three straight 1-0 victories, but nonetheless extend their unbeaten streak to 11 matches across all competitions.
Stefano Pioli spoke to Sky Sport (via MilanNews) and shed his thoughts on his side dropping two important points.
“We weren’t able to find the spark, the right play. We made 33 shots but encountered a team that defended well. We worked without the ball but we missed a lot with the ball,” commented Pioli.
When asked if the pressure of the title race is getting to them, the former Fiorentina tactician denied any such talk.
He said: “I disagree. The team played, tried to score and be dangerous. In the last 10 minutes we lost lucidity, but they (Bologna) stood strong. We did not play with anxiety, fear and presumption, but with strength and conviction; unfortunately, today the last game did not succeed. It is our regret.” (via MilanNews)
Milan face Torino next weekend in Serie A – a ‘difficult’ match that Pioli says will be complicated at the least.
“It is true that when the opponents close, it becomes difficult but all the games are complicated. Turin will be a difficult opponent because he plays openly, with pressure and has stopped Inter and Juventus,” he ended.
Napoli lurk just one point behind the Rossoneri now, with Inter not far away with a game in hand. If the Nerazzurri do manage to win that, they will also trail Milan by just one point as we head into the final few matches of the campaign.