AC Milan stumble again
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AC Milan were held to a 0-0 draw with Empoli yesterday as their Serie A campaign continued to stumble.
Milan have now gone four games without a win in the league and coach Carlo Ancelotti is sure to face more media pressure after yet another poor result.
Three defeats - to Internazionale, Atalanta and Roma - had left the Rossoneri 20 points behind leaders Internazionale and Palermo coming into this weekend, with the Scudetto seemingly lost for another season after just 11 games played.
And in their 12th game, they failed again, gaining just a point in Tuscany in a game which would normally be a formality for the superstars of Milan.
"In my opinion, the side played fairly well and we didn't allow our opponents any real scoring opportunities," he said.
"It was overall a small step forward and in the second half we could've done better upfront, but a draw is an acceptable result."
In the first half alone, Ricardo Oliveira struck the frame of the goal twice - first the crossbar and then the far upright.
"These were two very important incidents, because our unlucky streak continues. We hit the woodwork twice again today and at the moment the results are not reflecting our performances. This was certainly an improvement on the 2-0 defeat at Atalanta," added Ancelotti.
"We were more focused and balanced in the middle of the park, especially against a fast-paced team. We didn't allow them many counter-attacks and that was the key issue, so we can find some positives in this draw."
Empoli boss Gigi Cagni agreed that Lady Luck had smiled on his men at the Stadio Castellani this evening.
"It was a great performance from my men and it's doubly satisfying because we deserved it. Of course, we had a bit of luck, but you also make your own luck in this world," said the Coach.
"Igli Vannucchi is a player of great talent who has made a lifestyle choice in acting as leader for Empoli, an example for our younger squad members to look up to. I'm optimistic we can avoid relegation, even if we must maintain our trademark aggression and pace."
Milan have now gone four games without a win in the league and coach Carlo Ancelotti is sure to face more media pressure after yet another poor result.
Three defeats - to Internazionale, Atalanta and Roma - had left the Rossoneri 20 points behind leaders Internazionale and Palermo coming into this weekend, with the Scudetto seemingly lost for another season after just 11 games played.
And in their 12th game, they failed again, gaining just a point in Tuscany in a game which would normally be a formality for the superstars of Milan.
"In my opinion, the side played fairly well and we didn't allow our opponents any real scoring opportunities," he said.
"It was overall a small step forward and in the second half we could've done better upfront, but a draw is an acceptable result."
In the first half alone, Ricardo Oliveira struck the frame of the goal twice - first the crossbar and then the far upright.
"These were two very important incidents, because our unlucky streak continues. We hit the woodwork twice again today and at the moment the results are not reflecting our performances. This was certainly an improvement on the 2-0 defeat at Atalanta," added Ancelotti.
"We were more focused and balanced in the middle of the park, especially against a fast-paced team. We didn't allow them many counter-attacks and that was the key issue, so we can find some positives in this draw."
Empoli boss Gigi Cagni agreed that Lady Luck had smiled on his men at the Stadio Castellani this evening.
"It was a great performance from my men and it's doubly satisfying because we deserved it. Of course, we had a bit of luck, but you also make your own luck in this world," said the Coach.
"Igli Vannucchi is a player of great talent who has made a lifestyle choice in acting as leader for Empoli, an example for our younger squad members to look up to. I'm optimistic we can avoid relegation, even if we must maintain our trademark aggression and pace."
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