Modric and Loftus-Cheek see Milan ‘still in battle for the league’
Luka Modric believes his late Milan winner against Pisa was ‘crucial to stay in the battle’ for the Scudetto, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek admits he heard Max Allegri’s furious complaints.
This was a far tougher test than many expected in Pisa, a team that had already held the Rossoneri to a thrilling 2-2 draw at San Siro in October.
Loftus-Cheek had nodded in the opener this evening, with Niclas Fullkrug wasting the chance to double their lead by firing the penalty onto the base of the upright.
Felipe Loyola was able to draw the hosts level, but Modric turned back the years late on, surging into the box combining with Samuele Ricci to turn in the winner.
Modric and Loftus-Cheek keep Milan in Scudetto race
“It was important for us, we couldn’t miss the win today, because we knew these points were crucial to stay in the battle for the league, and we did it,” Modric told DAZN Italia.
“We relaxed a bit in the second half and didn’t pay enough attention, and that is why they scored. So we pressed, went forward, and scored that goal which is very important for us. We are happy for the win.
“Every game is really difficult in Serie A, so we have to continue working, getting better, and focus on the next game.”
The former Real Madrid star becomes the third oldest player to score in Serie A at the age of 40 years and 157 days, fewer only than fellow Milan stars Alessandro Costacurta and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
At one point, the travelling Milan supporters even dedicated a chant to him that had famously been used by Napoli fans towards Diego Armando Maradona.
“It’s a privilege to hear they are singing this song for me. Thank you very much, I am very happy to hear that song for me,” blushed Modric.
Before the opening goal, Allegri had been shouting at Loftus-Cheek to attack that space and be more of a striker than a midfielder, then turned to his bench after the header, noting with one run it immediately paid off.
“There was not too much space between the lines, Pisa were very compact, and it was difficult to play,” smiled Loftus-Cheek on DAZN Italia.
“When the ball was wide, I’m sure you could hear him, he was saying get in the box, attack the box. Zack put a great cross in, and I got on the end of it, so I’m very happy.”
Adrien Rabiot received two yellow cards in stoppages, the first for a foul and then taking his protests too far, and will therefore be suspended against both Como and Inter.
Considering the state of the title race, should Milan be focusing on catching Inter at the top, or keeping the chasing pack behind them for a top four finish?
“I think the most important thing is to focus on us. The games are too difficult to look ahead, we have to take it game by game, as you can see all the matches are so difficult to win. If we take our focus away on other objectives, other teams, it can be detrimental. We’ll see where we are,” concluded Loftus-Cheek.