Pioli blames Mourinho's Roma for Milan’s title collapse

AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli says Milan’s recent problems started when they faced Roma in the league.

Milan are on a poor run of form with no wins in their last six games in all competitions, including four in the league. 

The Rossoneri have not won in the league since they beat Salernitana in the first game of the year. Their poor form continued on Sunday afternoon as they suffered an embarrassing 5-2 defeat at the San Siro against a Sassuolo side seeking their first win since last year. 

But while the defeat compounds Milan’s misery, Pioli says their troubles started when they faced Mourinho’s Roma. 

Milan met Roma earlier this month at the San Siro, and looked on course for a routine win after taking a two-goal lead, courtesy of goals from Pierre Kalulu and Tommaso Pobega. 

However, they conceded two late goals with three minutes to go as Roger Ibanez and Tammy Abraham gave Roma an unlikely point. 

Since then Milan have been on a losing streak, with Pioli admitting after the defeat against Sassuulo that Roma killed off his side’s spirit. 

“We have been unable to react ever since Roma’s equalizer,” he added. “We’re not able to deliver the same performances as before from a tactical and mental standpoint,” Pioli said as per Roma Press. 

“Now it seems like we get slapped and instead of reacting accordingly, we succumb to the opponent’s pressure,” he added. 

Meanwhile, Roma have been in impressive form this year, losing just once- a 2-1 defeat against champions-elect. 

However, both Roma and Milan are currently out of the top four places, although only two points separate second and sixth in Serie A. 

Milan return to action Sunday when they take on Inter in the second instalment of this season’s Milan derby.