AC Milan suffered another defeat this season, this time against Udinese at the San Siro. Udinese, in fact, have secured their first victory this season in Serie A with this result. After the game, Stefano Pioli talked to Sky Sport Italia and said the following statements:
On the performance:
"We struggled and lost clarity, quality. Even last week, there were good performances. Tonight, there was too much confusion. The results and tonight's game should concern us. Clearly, it didn't go as it should have. We knew it could be tough, and we had some situations: but it can't be an excuse. It wasn't a performance up to par. We need to turn things around immediately."
On facing Paris Saint-Germain next in Champions League, Pioli said:
"Better or worse, we have to face them and we only have one result. We'll have to play a great game in all aspects because we'll be facing a strong opponent. After such a disappointment, it's better to face a game like this."
On Luka Jovic:
"He's a forward good at holding up play and distributing for others. In the first half, we needed to open them up a bit more. It's also his first game starting, and I don't think we lost and played poorly because of Jovic. Today, we all played poorly. We wanted to play with two forwards today and some things went well, but many others didn't go so well. As the game went on, we lost confidence and quality."
On frequent tactical changes, is a center forward missing?
"I'm sure we have important characteristics in the offensive department. Today, I made a different choice than usual due to the absences of Pulisic and Chukwueze. I'm sure we have an offensive department that can make us more dangerous than we were tonight. We need to do much better. The whistles from the fans are justified, especially directed towards me."
On the need for Zlatan Ibrahimovic if there are issues in the environment, Pioli said:
"I believe that many discussions, and it's right this way, are almost all directed towards results. Until ten days ago, nobody was talking about the absence of the club or that Pioli was alone. I focus on the field and there we can certainly do better. I focus on the level of play that needs to improve and that cannot be what it was tonight. As for the rest, you know how Zlatan thinks about it, how the club is working with me. I have everything to work well, and if the results don't come, it means I have to work better and that the responsibilities are mine. I take them."
READ MORE: Few Milan players head to Curva Sud who booed the team – Pioli went directly to the locker room
