Pioli: ‘Non-existent penalty, but Milan could react better’

Stefano Pioli insists Milan had been defeated by a ‘non-existent penalty’ within the Coppa Italia quarter-final with Atalanta, however admits additionally they ‘might’ve reacted higher’ to that incident.

The Rossoneri had taken the lead by Rafael Leao combining with Theo Hernandez, however Teun Koopmeiners equalised a minute later after which transformed a controversial penalty.

Replays appeared to recommend that Alex Jimenez received his toe to the ball earlier than Aleksei Miranchuk.

“I feel we performed an excellent first half, deservedly took the lead, after which had been extraordinarily naïve. We should always’ve defended a lot better on the equaliser, however the reality is that the sport modified with a non-existent penalty,” Pioli advised Mediaset.

“After that, we misplaced our heads, misplaced our form and our management of the sport. We struggled to take again that steadiness and management we had within the first half.”

There had additionally been confusion within the first half when Tijjani Reijnders appeared to push Marten de Roon into Matteo Gabbia, however VAR didn’t intervene there both.

“It’s truthfully troublesome, there may be a lot debate on VAR, however that was not a penalty as a result of our participant received the ball first, as a result of the Atalanta participant was happening even earlier than the contact. It’s a destructive night.

“We might’ve reacted higher. I do perceive the frustration of the gamers going 2-1 down like that after doing nicely, however there was nonetheless loads of time to get again into it and we didn’t take these possibilities that we created.

“It’s actually a pity, because it was a balanced encounter and that incident fully modified the sport.”

Luka Jovic appeared fully nameless this night and barely touched the ball, whereas Rafael Leao took extra management of the attacking strategy down the left.

“He did much less nicely at this time, however I don’t suppose it was solely his fault, as Atalanta blocked off these passing channels and didn’t permit us to seek out him. We additionally ought to’ve opened up extra areas to make use of him, however we didn’t try this.”

It’s one other disappointment for Milan, who had already crashed out of the Champions League and dropped into the Europa League.

Incredibile… https://t.co/BpJI5RXeyU

— Rafael Leão (@RafaeLeao7) January 10, 2024