Miha: 'Milan lucky to get draw'

By Football Italia staff

Sinisa Mihajlovic admits Milan “were lucky to scrape a point” in their 0-0 draw with Atalanta.

The Rossoneri failed to register a fourth consecutive victory, but are now unbeaten in six Serie A rounds.

“This is a Milan with the quality to target our objective, which is the top three. It seems a bit premature to talk about targets and ambitions when we’re 12 rounds in,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“We were certainly lucky to scrape a point, as we were not the same side that beat Lazio. I don’t want to look for excuses, but we were missing Jack Bonaventura, Andrea Bertolacci and Alex, who until now have been some of our best performers.

“The replacements hadn’t played much this season, so they kept going as long as they had steam left. We had some players who hadn’t had a full game, others who needed late fitness tests.”

Mihajlovic has never beaten Edy Reja in his career with just two points from six meetings and this is their first goalless home result in Serie A since May 2013 against Roma.

“When you don’t win, it’s important not to lose. Now the break for international duty will help us to recover some injured players and recuperate the physical and mental energy we used up during this difficult period.

“We know that we’re working very hard during the week and have a lot more to do, that’s only natural. A draw can happen after three consecutive victories.

“Atalanta played really well and deserved more than a point, that is true, while for the first time we were helped by good luck.

“Gigio Donnarumma had to make more saves than he has done before and proved he’s a really good goalkeeper with a bright future.

“When someone makes substitutions, he always hopes to change something. We played 4-2-4 today because my team will always run risks in order to win. Sometimes it pans out and sometimes it doesn’t, but we will always play for the victory.

“The goals we’ve conceded in the past have always been individual errors rather than tactical ones. Today again there were some errors that could’ve proved costly.

“Considering the circumstances and knowing Atalanta are an excellent side, when we were running out of steam in the second half, it was natural to be under pressure. Donnarumma did well and we must consider the glass half-full.

“M’Baye Niang has certainly improved a lot since he went to Genoa. He’s physically strong, technically gifted and represents an extra resource for us.”

Mihajlovic was sent off for dissent in the final stages, kicking a water bottle in the direction of the fourth official.

“I was wrong to kick the bottle, but I was angry with my own players, not the referee. If I’d wanted to hit him with the bottle, I would’ve got it on target,” smiled the free kick specialist.

Watch Serie A live in the UK on Premier Sports for just £9.99 per month including live LaLiga, Eredivisie, Scottish Cup Football and more. Visit: https://www.premiersports.com/subscribenow