Landucci: ‘Milan unlucky with Parma, ball didn’t want to go in’
Milan assistant manager Marco Landucci insists they were ‘not lucky’ tonight with injuries, the woodwork, and that Parma goal given after a VAR review. ‘The ball didn’t want to go in.’
They had been unbeaten since the opening weekend against Cremonese, a run of 24 rounds without defeat, and had scored in their last 19 Serie A appearances too.
Both those runs fell at San Siro this evening, as they failed to make the most of their chances, most notably with Rafael Leao’s volley off the inside of the post, and were beaten by a late Mariano Troilo header on a corner.
The goal had initially been disallowed for a foul on Mike Maignan, but the VAR review showed Emanuele Valeri had been disturbing the goalkeeper without actually committing any infringement.
Milan shocked at San Siro by Parma
“We are not happy, obviously,” Landucci told Sky Sport Italia, standing in for suspended Max Allegri.
“Parma played very well and the ball just didn’t want to go in for us tonight. We wanted the three points, so of course we feel let down, but we go again from Tuesday.”
The game had started on the wrong foot, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek stretchered off after a nasty collision with Edoardo Corvi in the opening minutes.
He never lost consciousness, but has reportedly damaged several teeth in the crash and suffered some cuts to his face.
“I think Serie A is the most difficult league in the world, because it is so very balanced, and every game has hidden dangers,” added Landucci.
“There are games that just don’t go your way. Today, Gabbia got hurt in the warm-up and we were forced to make a change at the last minute, then Loftus-Cheek got hurt immediately and suffered a nasty knock. It was a bit of an unlucky evening.”
This result, along with the midweek rescheduled 1-1 draw with Como, means Milan slide a full 10 points adrift of Serie A leaders Inter.
“The team was disappointed, we tried to reassure them. We mustn’t think about the other sides, but our own journey, getting as many points as possible. Our objective is to get back into the Champions League.”
The weekend has not all been bad news, because Napoli and Juventus also both lost in the battle for the top four, though Como and Atalanta are right back in the hunt.
Although the Rossoneri had been unbeaten since the first round, which was against newly-promoted Cremonese, they have repeatedly dropped points with the minnows.
They were held to draws by Pisa, Parma, Sassuolo, Genoa and Fiorentina.
“This team picked up a lot of points with this attitude, but when you don’t get the result, naturally everyone can criticise. Parma were determined on every ball, fought hard, we were unlucky, but this is football.”