The gaffer of AC Milan, Stefano Pioli, sat down for some minutes to discuss the draw in the Coppa Italia derby tonight in his usual post-match press conference.
Here are the words of the boss, as relayed by Milannews.it:
"We definitely showed a good performance. We were a unit in the whole match. We approached the game well and created chances. We were not able to convert them. We are sorry, but it is a positive performance that leaves us all the possibilities of qualification."
Is it a glass half full or half empty for Milan?
"For me, it is half full thanks to the team's performance. The result remains open, but it would have been like that anyway. They are two very strong teams and in a derby it doesn't make much difference to play at home or away. The return match will be open. Solid, fair performance, with courage, energy and we have to be satisfied with it. Now let's jump into the next championship game (against Napoli)."
Pioli added:
"We knew there would be many duels and we won many. I think that if the defenders do well it is because the whole team did well: we worked well, attacked a lot and allowed our defenders to highlight their qualities."
Did you expect more from the changes?
"It was a very intense game and we spent a lot of energy, it was right to put fresh players. It's a shame we didn't win the game, we deserved it."
On Olivier Giroud's performance:
"He did well. He worked hard and was a point of reference, he did an excellent job for the team."
On not having enough time to prepare for Napoli's fixture...
"No, I'm happy to be in the semi-final of the Italian Cup. We will have the time necessary both to prepare for the match and to recover energy, I have strong players. Against Napoli it will be a difficult match, they are deservedly leading the championship. They are playing for the Scudetto with us, Inter, Juventus and Atalanta. We will face the match in the best possible way", declared Pioli.
On Inter's performance:
"Inter are a strong team. All the 5 leading teams will fight for the Scudetto and they are strong teams, the results and the individual players testify to this. We will have to push until the end to get something."
