Mihajlovic: 'I found my Milan'

By Football Italia staff

Sinisa Mihajlovic was “happy” despite Milan’s defeat to Inter. “I found my team tonight. Mario Balotelli knows what he has to do.”

The Derby della Madonnina was decided by a Fredy Guarin strike, sealing the 1-0 result.

“We spread Inter with the movement of our strikers. We played badly against Empoli and much better tonight. We played with character, created chances, attacked them and allowed few opportunities at the back,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“It’s a shame we lost the match, but I cannot complain about the performance. Tonight I found my team again. I can be happy when we lose and unhappy when we win, because if we keep playing like this then it’ll be a success.

“The only thing that I am unhappy with is the result. We took the initiative, but on the goal should’ve closed Guarin down quicker. It can happen when you press high up the field, that they can find space and shoot.

“We could’ve done better in this situation, but we also have to give credit to Inter and Guarin for scoring a great goal.”

Riccardo Montolivo made his first start in seven months and Mihajlovic explained his decisions.

“It was easier for me to pick Nigel de Jong, but I chose Montolivo because he has different characteristics. I wanted to play to win, so I could’ve chosen a more defensive midfielder, but I wanted Montolivo for his creativity.

“Balotelli came on, we cannot judge him from one game. He is training well and behaving well, he knows what he has to do and must make the most of the chances he is given.”

Carlos Bacca was surprisingly substituted for Balotelli rather than Keisuke Honda or Luiz Adriano.

“Bacca, compared to the others, did less well. There were a good 30 minutes left and another striker against this Inter was a bit too unbalanced. I didn’t feel it right to use all three strikers together.

“In any case, Bacca didn’t keep the ball as well and was not his usual self, so I opted to make this change.

“I have always had faith for the future. Talking to the lads in recent weeks, they understood what I want from them. We rediscovered our spirit, our drive and I am sure if we play like this then we’ll win in future.

“However, if we played as we did against Empoli, then we’ll win that one game and hit a brick wall.

“I believe talent gets you nowhere without rules. I know, as Serbia had such great talent and didn’t win anything because we were all talented players and everyone just did what they felt like doing.”

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