At the end of the match between Sassuolo and Milan, coach Alberto Aquilani held a press conference at the Mapei Stadium. The most discussed episode was the disallowed goal against Thorstvedt, but the coach chose to focus on the overall result, declaring that he was satisfied with his team's performance.
Aquilani underlined that facing a high-level team like Milan was an important test. He praised Sassuolo's initial solidity, but also recognized that in the last ten minutes Milan managed to exploit the time and space available. “The second half was different, we were less clean than other times, but the match brings me satisfaction,” he said, highlighting the need to stay focused until the last minute.
Regarding the Thorstvedt episode, the coach explained that he did not see the push clearly and that, in his words, the player did not let go of the ball. “I haven't seen the episode, they tell me about a push, I would tell you why he didn't let go and then they whistle but that's how it went,” he added, showing a certain openness towards the referee's decision.
Aquilani then spoke about the substitutions, praising the entry of Bowie, Odenthal and Thorstvedt. “They all came in well and there are others on the bench who are good and didn't come in who can help us out,” he said. He also mentioned the situation of Leysen, who was injured, and expressed hope that it was not a serious injury, underlining the importance of having quality players on the bench.
Finally, the coach highlighted the importance of having two complementary attackers, Bowie and another player, to keep the team competitive. "He's a different player to Bowie, who came in very well. I'm lucky, I have two complementary attackers who give me hope," he concluded, suggesting that the team will continue to work to achieve their goals this season.