Three goals in nine minutes saw AC Milan comeback from a goal down to beat Olympiacos 3-1 in the Europa League, but Rossoneri coach Gennaro Gattuso still feels his team still have plenty to work on.
Miguel Ángel Guerrero got the opener for the visitors on 14 minutes, but two second half goals from Patrick Cutrone and another from Gonzalo Higuain grabbed all three points for Milan.
“When I played Calhanoglu you criticised me,” Gattuso said when asked about issues with the initial formation. “You said he was like my son. And now I rest him and you still complain. He was rested just as Kessie was.
“He had an ankle problem which conditioned certain decisions. We have decided on this formation, and rest those who need it.
“The players who came on helped us win the game. With four in the attacking third, our offensive threat got better, but on the defensive side things were bad.
“If Cutrone didn’t score, I don’t know how it would have ended. The defensive line, and the midfield will be looked at.
“Before Cutrone came on we had Castellejo there, and he has different characteristics, operating more as a second striker. And before we scored we didn’t get into enough good positions, and weren’t clinical enough.
“The way the players approached the game, didn’t drive me crazy.”
Milan have now won two matches in succession for the first time since May, but Gattuso doesn’t think much has changed from a mental perspective.
“The fear [of losing] is still there,” the Rossoneri coach continued. “But we are a team that plays well technically.
“We have a find a little more compactness, and read the game better. We don’t do well without the ball, and we have to improve this aspect. While in possession we are very good.
“The problem isn’t the central midfielders. When there is a lot of space between the lines on the pitch, we’re always going to have trouble.”
Cutrone bagged his 21st goal for Milan, in just 52 appearances drawing more comparisons with Rossoneri legend Pippo Inzaghi.
“I hope he can become the new Inzaghi,” Gattuso stated. “But for now has has to get his head down and work.
“[It is encouraging] when you see a player of his age, who wants to play at all costs, despite his [injury] condition.”
