“It’s Only Our Fault If We Didn’t Win, We Lost Two Important Points”

Written By Onyeka Daniel

Despite still remaining at the top of the table, it was actually a disappointing result for Italian giants, AC Milan after a 2-2 draw with Pisa as the clash of top versus bottom resulted in a disappointing night for Massimiliano Allegri’s team, but a fantastic point for Gilardino’s side.

More Details

The Rossoneri went into the break with a deserved 1-0 lead, having controlled long spells of the first half and limited Pisa to efforts from distance as they started on the front foot, dominating possession from kick-off and immediately pinning the visitors back inside their own half.

LATEST POSTS

The breakthrough arrived inside seven minutes, when Rafael Leão found space on the edge of the area and guided a precise low finish into the far corner to make it 1-0. With the advantage, Milan continued to dictate tempo, building patiently through Modrić and Fofana and probing primarily down the flanks.

Saelemaekers remained lively throughout the half, delivering a number of dangerous crosses – one of which almost led to a second goal when Pisa goalkeeper Adrian Semper spilled a routine ball on 33 minutes, only for Leão to react too late to punish the mistake.

Milan entered the interval ahead and largely comfortable, but with only a single goal to show for their dominance, leaving the match still open heading into the second half and returned from the interval looking to close out the contest, but were in for a shocker.

Bartesaghi created a good chance but Santiago Giménez failed to convert, volleying narrowly wide, before Pisa found their route back into the game. A VAR check was made after a handball against Koni De Winter, but the video assistant confirmed the referee’s on-field decision, leading to a penalty.

This was calmly converted by former Juventus and Inter Milan star, Juan Cuadrado on the hour mark to level the score at 1-1 and the equaliser visibly rattled Milan, who briefly lost structure and intensity, inviting pressure and allowing Pisa their best spell of the match.

Allegri introduced fresh legs in the final stages, sending on Nkunku and Athekame, but despite renewed momentum the Rossoneri could not turn pressure into a decisive goal as Nkunku had a big chance on 80 minutes, heading just over from close range but it was the visitors who struck again.

With five minutes to go, Nzola gave the visitors a late goal that saw them stun San Siro but deep into injury time, substitute Athekame converted after a good ball from Luka Modric, sparing Allegri’s blushes in what is still a disappointing draw for the Rossoneri.

Hence, the final whistle confirmed two dropped points and for Allegri, he admitted that the result was a step backwards in game management, lamenting how his team “lost clarity and shape” as he spoke to Sky Sport in his post match interview and he did not hide his mixed emotions.

“We are happy to have taken the draw at the end, but tonight we made mistakes and must reflect.” He said as he believes that the turning point was the failure to build on the 1-0 advantage. “After going ahead, we had to make it 2-0. Instead, we became too long, with the two forwards far from the midfielders and too many gaps in the middle. We didn’t stay compact.”

Pisa’s equaliser from the spot added pressure, and Allegri was frustrated with how Milan reacted in key phases. “It’s not a coincidence against low blocks – it’s about growth and understanding moments. Once in front, we needed more lucidity and speed.” He continued.

The coach also highlighted a recurring problem in the final stages of tight matches. “In the last five minutes you just need two actions to win, but you can’t lose your head. We all pushed forward and Pavlovic had to chase Nzola – that cannot happen. We must manage those moments better.”

When asked whether the issue was Milan’s attitude or Pisa’s merit, Allegri was honest: “Both. Pisa played well and exploited our flaws, but we stretched too much and wasted situations where we could have doubled. We must keep working and improving.”

Despite his irritation, Allegri stressed there is still confidence in the team’s trajectory. “The point leaves bitterness, but over the season it can still be important. We know what we must fix.” He further added and for Modric, he also did not hide his frustration after the dropped points

Speaking to both DAZN and Sky Sport after the match, the Croatian veteran was clear in his assessment of the performance and the mentality required to compete for the Scudetto. “We should have killed the game in the first half. We played well, but we only scored one goal.”

“Then we started the second half too soft, and with the penalty and the goal… that’s football. Even if you are stronger and deserve to win, anything can happen.” He insisted that the fault was entirely Milan’s, refusing to look for excuses. “It’s only our fault if we didn’t win. We lost two important points today.”

“These matches at home, with all due respect to Pisa, you have to win them. We are sad and angry because we threw away a big opportunity.” Pisa opted for aggressive man-marking to disrupt Milan’s rhythm, forcing Modric and Samuele Ricci to alternate their positions in midfield.The plan worked In phases, but not for long enough.

“They played man-to-man and we switched positions to create space and confuse them. For most of the match it worked, but we must do better. I have to adapt, and as a team we have to play with more intensity. At home, you must finish games like this.” He concluded.

Read Also: “I Saw A Team Without Heart, It Was Truly Sad”

Milan return to work this week needing an immediate reaction, starting with their next few games where they will be facing Atalanta, AS Roma, Parma, Inter in the Milan Derby and Lazio in their next five games with Modric warning that dropped points of this kind can weigh heavily later in the season.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube

Do you have a story tip?
Kindly Email: keepup@bettitude.com

Bookmark (0)

Please login to bookmark