Aquilani happy with ‘mature’ Sassuolo after Milan draw but points to ‘questionable’ disallowed goal

Sassuolo head coach Alberto Aquilani believes his side had a goal that might have been wrongly disallowed in their 1-1 draw with AC Milan.

Aquilani took on Milan as a head coach for the first time and he might just have felt a bit of added motivation to get one over on his former club. He was on loan with the Rossoneri in 2011-12 but ultimately the switch was not made permanent, despite some impressive performances.

In the end, the Sassuolo boss had to make do with one point on Sunday night after a game in which his side trailed to an Adrien Rabiot rocket but then responded quickly through the substitute Odenthal, earning an eventual 1-1 draw.

Aquilani spoke to Sky (via MilanNews) following the full-time whistle last night to provide his thoughts on what was another positive performance for his side against one of the ‘top teams’ in the league.

Are you having trouble accepting the disallowed goal?

“I haven’t seen it. No, I wanted to see it again because it seemed a bit questionable to me.”

How do you explain the match?

“I think we started well. We played very well in the first half hour. Then we dropped back a bit, we gave them too much control, and when you drop back, they push you into the box, and you take risks with such strong players.

“The second half was a different game, but I think the most important thing today was the maturity of this team. They understood what kind of game they had to play and tried to play their own way when possible, sometimes a little less cleanly than usual, but I’m very happy.”

A comment on the substitutions?

“I see it more as a physical issue, because I could see the energy level waning and Milan gaining ground. With the substitutions up front, we increased the pressure, and those who came on did really well.”

It was noticeable that you got going again immediately after going behind…

“When I talk about maturity, I mean precisely this: understanding the game, the moment of the match, and playing exactly as needed at that moment.

“In difficult moments, we take refuge in our certainties, and this must be our strength, because we know that this is how we can compete with these teams.

“That said, Milan are a strong team: it’s normal for them to put you in trouble, it’s normal for them to make you suffer, and in the end, you’re exhausted. That’s precisely why I’m happy, because I saw a mature team.”

Did you prepare for the game the way it ended up going?

“In my opinion, in the first half we alternated between a bit of order and a bit of disorder. When we’re organised, we occupy the pitch in a certain way and create passing lanes, corridors, and spaces for our attackers, so the goal is always to get to them cleanly.

“If this isn’t possible because Milan were strong, then there’s the option of playing the ball out wide or playing it deep. However, in my opinion, on some plays we could have been more organised, even before being cleaner, because if you’re organised, individual quality definitely comes out better.”

Where do you see Sebastiano Esposito?

“I see him more as a number nine or number ten than a winger, so with another striker nearby or an attacking midfielder behind him. I recognise these qualities, but always centrally, inside the pitch.

“I already have important players on the wings with different characteristics. However, I think he can become a great number nine.”