Journalist Carlo Pellegatti was left with a bitter feeling after AC Milan fell to a 4-2 defeat against Monza last night as he questioned some of the selection choices.
Milan had a dreadful evening against their Lombardy neighbours Monza as they conceded twice late on to lose 4-2 in a dramatic encounter, battling back from two goals down with 10 men then throwing the game away again.
Monza were well in control going into the break as a penalty from Pessina and a deflected shot from Mota had them two goals up, then Luka Jovic’s red card early in the second half seemed to put the game to bed.
However, Milan roared back with Olivier Giroud and Christian Pulisic scoring twice off the bench to level things, but Bondo made it 3-2 in added time and then Colombo scored against his parent club to finally put the match to bed.
Pellegatti spoke on Radio Rossonera to give his post-match verdict following the game at the U-Power Stadium and he expressed concern about the way a number of things went.
“I’m very sad, when doubts come back they are bad days. I didn’t like President Scaroni’s statements. You have doubts that from 13 to 14 the squad isn’t that strong. There will be the usual storm of criticism, even if you shouldn’t look at it,” he said.
“Doubts, thoughts and hindsight will return. A bad match because in the first half I think he played the worst first half in Pioli’s history at Milan. In the 5-0 against Atalanta you took slaps from a team that hurt you, while today Monza is not going through the best period.
“You manage to equalise with your heart and I would never have thought of conceding two more goals. This is why football depression comes.
“We hope to be able to manage the double commitment for many more weeks, but if you managed it like this straight away in the first match…
“Some say: you should have put the starters today and the alternatives against Rennes. Then if you saw the alternatives in the first half against Monza in Rennes they’d blow us away.
“Then there’s also the joke: we had saved the starters for Rennes, and instead they got more tired this way. It’s all a contradiction in existence. When I said that they are indefensible, there is another thing.
“I don’t know about football, but I’m good because I admit it. I reflect as a man: I was clear when I wanted a central defender. Because the returns of Thiaw, Tomori and Kalulu are fine, but be careful: to have them ready I said it would take more time.
“The players are back in terms of numbers, but I remember Kaladze’s first matches, who in the pre-season friendlies was sent off because he wasn’t in good shape.
“Pioli wanted it [a centre-back signing], but today it’s difficult to defend someone. Apart from the replacement starters, who with 10 men calmly dominated. I also didn’t like Maignan again.
“It’s truly a sad evening for the doubts it leaves us with, not so much for the result. I don’t know who thought we would reach Inter. My mouth was watering to be second, yes.”
It’s so painful I know just a bad choice selection from the coach
This Jeckyll and Hyde affair we have with Pioli is not healthy for team morale. We can’t be winning 5 games in a row and lose when least expected. Pioli has reached the ceiling and can’t grow the team any further. We must cut our losses and move on next summer.
Yes very well said mate. We had the chance to go 2nd and close the gap and at least make a fist of it
I’ve deliberated on this game for some time. I don’t blame Jovic, sure he was an idiot but why was he an idiot? He was finally given a start in a front three that had not chemistry. The sh!t show comes down to Pioli changing 6 players. You can’t swap out 6 and bring in 6. You have to do it gradually. I also don’t think Okafor is a LW he’s a striker and has shown striker attributes when he’s impressed.
What clear is that 175m doesn’t replace what we lose in Leao and breaking up that left side. Mike isn’t clutch anyMore, he’s still a fine GK but he isn’t clutch, if we are to sacrifice a star then let it be him. And that pains me cos I love Mike.
We will never do any better than top 4 with Pioli, he’s a decent coach but his ceiling is way below where we need to be
“we had saved the starters for Rennes, and instead they got more tired this way”
So true. Also it’s true Pioli did want a CBz gotta give him that
Simic was also an option. Kjaer probably did need a rest. Why not use Simic and give Thiaw more time to get match fit?
Now we have a European game where Simic is not eligible so Thiaw may have to play again with zero confidence.
“Then there’s also the joke: we had saved the starters for Rennes, and instead they got more tired this way. It’s all a contradiction in existence. When I said that they are indefensible, there is another thing.”
This comment thought LMAO.
Its like the squirrel trying to wash his cotton candy… 🤣
Pioli did more damage than good with the rotation.
Now we have tired starters and bench for EL. Lost three points to take the second place.
I take this as a positive thought, Pioli has one game less now until he leaves.