Stefano Pioli insists ‘easy matches don’t exist’ as AC Milan face Verona

By Sports Desk September 22, 2023

AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli is keen to see his side return to winning ways when they welcome Verona to San Siro on Saturday.

Pioli’s side were on the wrong end of a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of local rivals Inter Milan last week and failed to convert any of their 25 shots on goal in their goalless draw against Newcastle in the Champions League curtain raiser.

The defeat to Inter ended Milan’s 100 per cent start to the campaign and they now face Verona who have won two already, including victory over Jose Mourinho’s Roma.

Pioli is confident his side can put things right this weekend, saying in quotes reported on the club’s website: “Winning is always important, especially after a defeat.

“Easy matches don’t exist, just the desire to interpret them well. The team are doing well.

“We’re confident about what we’re doing and eager to produce the right performance against Verona.

“Right now, we’re only focused on our match against them.

“They’re an intense and aggressive side, and we need to be prepared and approach the game well to come away with the three points.

“We’ll have to be composed and intelligent and show an ability to understand the situations that develop as we look to find the necessary solutions.”

Following the dip in form, Pioli hinted at making changes but knows his players are eager to put things right.

“I’m focusing on making the right choices to win. It’s only right that the players are champing at the bit,” he said.

“There are 11 starters and then those who are subbed on as the game progresses, who can also provide something different. The maximum availability of players is important, the opportunities will come for everyone.”

Rafael Leao, 24, has made a bright start to the season having contributed two goals and two assists during his four Serie A matches this campaign.

Pioli is pleased with the Portugal international and thinks he is making all the right steps to be a top player.

He added: “Leao is on an important path, to go from the great player he is to being a champion.

“He will have to manage his talent and some phases of the game better. Growing up means more responsibility, but on a mental and character level he is making important steps, also in terms of availability.

“We must not give too much responsibility to a single player: the mistake of one is a mistake of all: we must continue on our path knowing that we all have to improve some things.”

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    "It was a bit of fun. There was a real sense of us being intentional behind that.

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    "I sort of felt like as we opened up, we started to leak a little bit more space that wasn't there in the opening stages.

    "[Goalkeeper] Dayne [St. Clair] was called into action a couple more times, and so was [Salt Lake goalkeeper] Zac MacMath. So I think it was a very even game, and given that we're coming here as the away team under challenging conditions, that's hats off to us.

    “It felt like if we if we won, it would have justified the work. If we lost, there wouldn't have been anything we could have done differently.

    "We were very solid, very disciplined, and that's one goal allowed in six games, which is very difficult to achieve at this level.

    "I'm pleased with the defensive effort. I was also pleased that we were able to start to find a foothold in the game with the ball and create a couple of really good chances."

    PLAYERS TO WATCH

    Minnesota United - Dawyne St. Clair

    St. Clair made six saves in Game 1, and has been in fine form as of late.

    United has allowed only one goal in their last six matches going back to the end of the regular season, going unbeaten in that time (W4 D2). This is the first time in club history that the Loons have allowed just one goal in a span of six matches in all competitions.

    Real Salt Lake - Cristian Arango

    Arango attempted five shots in Game 1, the most shots attempted by a Salt Lake player in a postseason match since Damir Kreilach had six attempts against Sporting Kansas City in the 2018 playoffs.

    MATCH PREDICTION: MINNESOTA WIN

    Salt Lake have managed just four wins in 21 all-time away playoff matches (D7 L10) including going winless in four straight (D2 L2). RSL lost on penalties in each of the last two away matches that ended in draws (2022 at Austin FC, 2023 against the Houston Dynamo).

    After Tuesday's win on spot-kicks, Minnesota have been involved in seven penalty shootouts in all competitions since joining MLS in 2017, winning six of them, including the last four in a row.

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    Including playoffs, the only matchup that has been drawn six straight times in MLS play is between the Chicago Fire and the New York Revolution, who played in six straight draws from 2021 to 2024.

    OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

    Minnesota United - 44.5%

    Real Salt Lake - 28.6%

    Draw - 26.9%

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    Mona High 3, St George’s College 0

    Hydel High 1, Wolmer’s Boys 0

    STATHS 1, Kingston College 0

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    Brian Schmetzer believes the Seattle Sounders are in control of their playoff destiny after edging out the Houston Dynamo in Game 1 of their best-of-three series.

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    PLAYERS TO WATCH

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    Seattle Sounders – Albert Rusnak

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    MATCH PREDICTION: HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN

    The Dynamo have lost only two of their 18 all-time home playoff matches (W12 D4), though one of those defeats was against Seattle in the 2017 Conference Finals. Houston won nine of their first 10 home playoff matches but have won just three of eight since (D4 L1).

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    They have also lost only two of their last 23 matches against the Dynamo in all competitions, including securing a shootout win after a scoreless draw at home in Game 1. Houston have also failed to score in 12 of their last 18 meetings with the Sounders.

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