AC Milan looks to stem terrible run in derby against Inter | Soccer
MILAN (AP) — Discouraging mockery turned into encouraging cheers, even though the result was still bad for AC Milan.
The rapid change in fan attitude was hardly a surprise, however, with a derby against Inter Milan next on the Serie A calendar.
Milan have had a terrible start to the year, dropping from second place and five points behind leaders Napoli to fifth place and 15 behind. Inter, on the other hand, moved up to second place – albeit 13 points behind Napoli.
Milan’s last game ended in a disastrous 5-2 loss to 16th-placed Sassuolo, prompting boos from the crowd. The defending champions have now conceded 12 goals in their last three matches, and they have also been knocked out of the Italian Cup and lost to Inter in the Italian Super Cup.
The encouraging display from the fans at the end of the match on Sunday was followed by a visit of support from the team leaders on Wednesday. Milan president Paolo Scaroni and manager Paolo Maldini – a former Milan great – visited the training ground with other club managers.
They attended a training session and then had lunch with the players.
“We have great faith in you,” Scaroni reportedly told the players. “We feel such a strong bond with you that we want to be on the pitch with you.”
The Sassuolo game was Milan’s worst home result since a 6-1 loss to Juventus in 1997. It was also the first time Milan had conceded four goals in consecutive Serie A matches.
“We went through a difficult period both mentally and tactically, so I will have to work even more on the mindset of my players to understand what they need to overcome this difficult period and also try to understand the problems. tactics in order to find the right cure,” said Milan coach Stefano Pioli.
The same Milan players who drew compliments from across Europe for their style of play and spirit last season now seem lost and simply without answers.
“We have to make the most of the fact that we have a big game coming up, because big games are certainly very difficult, but the higher the mountain to climb, the higher the reward,” said Pioli. “We need that kind of mindset.”
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