Pioli: ‘Loftus-Cheek surprised Milan, Leao is a striker’

Stefano Pioli reveals why Ruben Loftus-Cheek ‘stunned’ him at Milan, the place Rafael Leao wants to enhance and protecting centered after the 3-0 win over Rennes.

The Rossoneri have given themselves a cushty first leg result in take to France for the Europa League play-off decider on Thursday February 22, due to a pair of Loftus-Cheek headers and the primary Rafael Leao aim since January 10.

This was not a consequence to be taken with no consideration, as Rennes had been coming off eight consecutive victories in all competitors.

“We instantly gave ourselves a goal after the Champions League disappointment, beginning with the Europa League play-offs,” Pioli advised Sky Sport Italia.

“The group performed properly, but it surely was not straightforward in opposition to a Rennes facet that could be very harmful on the counter-attack and in nice kind. It is a good benefit for the primary leg, however we all know something can occur in soccer and we have to be absolutely concentrated within the second leg.”

Loftus-Cheek scored two objectives and is on glowing kind in the mean time, particularly since shifting to a extra superior trequartista function behind the centre-forward.

“Ruben solely had just a few health points and was taking part in for some time with out having the ability to prepare. When he’s in good bodily form, and at last he’s now, he could make a big impact, particularly entering into the field.

“I’ll be sincere, Ruben is extra attacking and with extra high quality than I anticipated. He had performed in opposition to us as a midfielder within the Champions League for Chelsea and was a box-to-box participant, however didn’t appear to have this high quality and physicality adequate to be such an necessary participant within the attacking section.

“I educated Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as a child at Lazio and he’s the participant who jogs my memory essentially the most of Loftus-Cheek when it comes to high quality, physicality and working ahead. We’re joyful for him, as he’s really a improbable man.”

Rafael Leao had not discovered the online for over a month and Pioli all the time assured there was no concern on the drought.

“It’s solely regular he desires to attain, however Rafa was all the time calm and made the distinction with assists throughout this era and has all the time been on the centre of our attacking section. Clearly, we wish him to be within the field extra, he’s beginning to do this, however basically he has all the time been concerned within the group’s victories.”

Leao had threatened to attain earlier within the sport, however the strike was deflected onto the crossbar. Will he all the time attempt to go for the spectacular?

“It’s pure Leao will all the time search the aesthetically pleasing and we’ve no intention of taking that away from him, however he is aware of the place he has to enhance in being extra of a striker, scoring just a few extra objectives and being within the field extra persistently.”

Pioli modified techniques at half-time, confessing he was stunned by the place of Bejnamin Bourigeaud, who initially was adopted by Theo Hernandez, however afterward was tracked by Yunus Musah.

“We didn’t anticipate Bourigeaud to chop inside a lot, at a sure level Leao ended up having to chase down his opponent for the complete flank and people aren’t Rafa’s strengths. The Rennes coach was good to do this, so we put Musah on Bourigeaud and had Theo Hernandez simply matched with the other full-back.”

There was extra excellent news, as Malick Thiaw made his comeback three months after a severe thigh pressure.

Milan actually are discovering their ft, as they’ve received 5 of their final six aggressive matches, held 2-2 solely by Bologna in Serie A.

It is usually their second consecutive clear sheet after the 1-0 win over Napoli.

“You should by no means loosen up. We’ve been doing properly for the reason that begin of the 12 months, however the tough moments will come and the Europa League is a pressure taking part in on Thursday. You possibly can inform we’re in good condition in the mean time each bodily and mentally, however we should proceed with that perspective.”

. @acmilan, le parole di #Pioli: “Non è ancora finita. #Leao è sempre stato sereno” https://t.co/Li2yncrCXc

— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) February 15, 2024