Stefano Pioli insisted on Monday that AC Milan have turned their attentions to the Champions League opener with Newcastle United after the native derby humiliation on the weekend.
The seven-time European champions have been hammered 5-1 by Serie A leaders Inter Milan on Saturday, a brutal defeat which swept away all of the optimistic vibes created by a new-look workforce claiming three straight wins earlier than the worldwide break.
It was a fifth defeat in as many Milan derbies in 2023, Inter racking up an mixture rating of 12-1 over these matches which embody final season’s Champions League semi-final.
“We had a variety of religion and positivity for the derby however it didn’t go nicely, there’s no level hiding it,” Pioli instructed reporters.
“It was an enormous disappointment, however we’ve the Champions League and that’s good because it’s the one approach to swap.
“These defeats within the derby damage… I’d give the whole lot to alter them however sadly they went how they went.”
Milan have been drawn in a tricky Group F which additionally options Borussia Dortmund and French champions Paris Saint-Germain, and begin at residence to Saudi Arabia-backed Newcastle could be the right response to Saturday’s disappointment.
“I do know I’ve workforce, this group of gamers will be capable of recover from a very tough derby,” stated Pioli.
“I owe a debt to the followers as a result of final yr after we have been struggling, after we have been enjoying actually badly, they stayed behind us.”
Sandro Tonali will return to the San Siro sooner than anticipated after being bought to Newcastle in July, one among two massive adjustments over the summer time with membership icon Paolo Maldini being sacked as technical director.
Italy midfielder Tonali is a boyhood Milan fan and was a key element of the workforce which gained a primary league title in 11 years in 2022.
“Will probably be emotional. Sandro is a good participant and was necessary to us getting the place we’re at present,” stated Pioli.
“We gained collectively and we grew collectively, and will probably be emotional for him to return to the San Siro. We want him the easiest — from the following match.”
Newcastle come into their first Champion League match in twenty years off the again of a 1-0 win over Brentford which halted a run of three straight Premier League defeats.
Tonali is match to play on Tuesday after recovering from a thigh pressure which meant he missed each of Italy’s latest Euro 2024 qualifiers and admitted it was tough leaving Milan.
“I’ll clearly have sturdy emotions however I gained’t know what it means to have come again till I play on the San Siro,” stated the 23-year-old.
“It was a tough summer time… Milan is the workforce I help and the workforce that gave me an opportunity to understand a dream, I’ll should do my finest to handle my emotions.”
Supply: namibian
