Pioli believes Milan were ‘decisive and aggressive’ vs. Torino but explains where they fell short

AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has admitted that he is disappointed that his side have been knocked out of the Coppa Italia, but suggested he wasn’t too unhappy with the way his team played.

After throwing away a two-goal lead against Roma over the weekend, there was the need for a response against Torino and to reach the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia for the 14th season in a row, yet 120 minutes of frustration and disappointment followed.

Milan were the better side throughout and dominated especially after Djidji was sent off for the away side, but were ultimately unable to break down their visitors and went out to a counter-attack goal in the second half of extra time.

Interviewed by Mediaset after the game, Pioli commented on the exit from the Coppa Italia as one of the targets for the season can now be crossed off, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.

“We played a serious, decisive and aggressive match against a difficult and serious team until we had superiority. Then we didn’t have the quality to maintain this advantage. It’s a disappointing, big disappointment because we wanted this step and we’re sorry we didn’t get it,” he said.

“We were very aggressive and risked only once. Then I made the changes to have other characteristics, but we needed more composure. There was numerical superiority and 30 minutes is a lot. We managed to concede from a counter-attack. The competitions are there, we want to be competitive and we’re sorry to be out. The league and the Supercoppa are waiting for us.”

On mistakes: “We need to be faster, Torino position themselves well off the ball and it’s easy to run into difficulties. We missed the last pass, but we were alive and in the game. The regret comes after the sending off. We gave up chance for them to pile up inside the area and they’re more physical than us.”

On De Ketelaere: “It’s important and I had him play as a first striker because Giroud returned from the World Cup and trained very little, we can’t afford to have any risk of injury. I think he moved well, then we all expect some decisive and quality plays but we didn’t succeed tonight as well.”