After a 0-0 draw with Torino, AC Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso insisted his team played well overall and were only missing that final ball which would have given then victory.
Chances were few and far between for both teams, though Iago Falque went close, being denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma, while Patrick Cutrone should have grabbed all three points for Milan at the end.
The result leaves Torino still searching for their first win over Milan since 1985 in the competition, as a 22-match winless streak continues. However, the Granata remain undefeated away from home this season.
“This was the first time we didn’t start a match well,” Gattuso told the press. “It’s no coincidence that Torino have never lost away from home.
“They are a team which has a lot of physically. Three or four months ago we would have lost this game.
“We had a lot of counter attacks, and in the second half we created plenty of chances, but missed the final shot.
“Some individuals didn’t play to their best, but this is part of the game of football. There are no easy games, and you have to prepare for them and play well.
“Torino, on a physical level, are one of the best. All that was missing in this match was the win, but we did what we had to do, though it wasn’t easy.”
Hakan Calhonoglu was Gattuso’s only substitution in the game, coming off for Samuel Castillejo, though the Milan coach wasn’t too critical of the Turk.
“He [Calhanoglu] put in a shift, while Castillejo was brighter,” Gattuso said. “But I’m happy with what he did.
“We were just missing that final pass, as he were in their part of the pitch a lot. Kessie was sometimes poor in the last phase, other times Higuain was.
“We also have to improve on set pieces as he have a lot of players who are good in the air.”
Gianluigi Donnarumma arguably kept Milan in the game with a brilliant early save on Iago Falque, though Gattuso would have preferred to have conceded and then went on to win.
“I would have preferred to have conceded the goal, and won,” Gattuso went on. “He could have done better on about four or five chances
“Abate and Zapata also deserve praise, and Calabria, despite his age, plays with a lot of experience. Praise should not only be given to Donnarumma.”
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com