Mihajlovic: “I am very angry with my Milan and with the referee, Menez and Balotelli not 100 per cent fit”

Sinisa Mihajlovic says Milan can’t keep missing so many chances ‘only to concede the first shot on goal’ and refused to discuss Mario Balotelli’s performance in the 2-0 Sassuolo defeat.

The curse of the Mapei Stadium continues. Today (Sunday), the Rossoneri lost their first match in exactly two months and are heading back to Milano with no points. This is in fact Milan’s third defeat to Sassuolo in Serie A at the Città del Tricolore in as many matches.
Mihajlovic’s boys looked comfortable in the first 25 minutes and had very good chances to score a few goals. However, against the run of play Sassuolo scored through Duncan with a well-executed corner-kick routine. Milan completely switched off after conceding the goal and Sassuolo were firmly in control and deserved to score their second in the second half with Sansone beating Gigio.

It was a poor performance from Milan who are now pretty much out of the race for a Champions League spot as they are 9 points away from third place where Roma currently sit.
“What happened on the pitch today? I would also like to know why we fell-apart mentally. But it is not easy in the heat of the moment,” Sinisa told reporters. “I am angry with my team and with the match-officials. But I won’t comment on the latter. We dominated the opening 30 minutes, but we didn’t capitalize on our chances. It’s not the first time either. We cannot afford to concede a goal like we did from a dead-ball. 

“We then lost our way and we weren’t the Milan side that I wanted to see. Having said that, let’s not forget all the positive things we have achieved up until now. We will now get our heads down and try and get back on track as of the next match with Chievo. Balotelli and Menez? I don’t like to talk about specific players. They know if they played well or not. Mario didn’t do well? And Menez did well? Or was I wrong with both choices? (smiles ironically). I am angry we didn’t take our chances and for our lack of reaction.
“This concerns the team and individual players. I don’t talk about the match-officials. We will see how they intend to use technology in officiating matches in the future.”

Speaking to Sport Mediaset, Miha added: I am very angry with us and with the referee, but I don’t want to talk about that. We dominated the first half-hour, but as often happens we failed to turn that pressure into a goal. We cannot keep creating four or five scoring opportunities only to concede the first shot on goal, especially on a corner routine we knew they were going to use. Carlos Bacca was meant to come out and close Duncan down, but he did it too late. He should’ve been on the edge of the box. 

“This happens when you don’t have the right concentration. After the goal, we immediately lost the plot. It’s a defeat that hurts, but we mustn’t forget what we’ve done recently. There are another 10 rounds to go and we’ll try to win the next, another complicated game with Chievo.

“My expulsion after their goal? I complained and the referee sent me off, so at that point I told him where to go. But I only swore at him after the dismissal… I asked him how it was possible he hadn’t seen that foul. Sassuolo did well to continue, I always tell my players to not stop until the referee blows the whistle.

“I don’t want to talk about it. Menez and Balotelli? When we lose, I never talk about individuals. The players know if they played well or could’ve done more. Unfortunately with Niang’s injury we have been really weakened, especially as Balotelli and Menez are not 100 per cent fit,” said Sinisa, who also explained that he chose Alex-Zapata because of the characteristics of Sassuolo’s attackers.
“The objectives? Our objectives remain the same, they don’t change from one round to the next. Sassuolo deserved to win, we were unable to do what we had to. We’ll continue working.”