AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli was delighted with victory over Bologna on Monday night.
Olivier Giroud and new signing Christian Pulisic struck for the 2-0 win.
“I think the more you give the ball to players with quality, the better your odds of scoring a goal. It doesn’t matter if it is Rafael Leao or anyone else,” Pioli told DAZN when asked about Milan no longer being so dependent on the Portuguese talent.
“We need to work more to find a better balance, but those who have arrived certainly know how to play football and that is a good place to start from. We only had four friendlies and this first game of the season, so there’s work to be done, but we are on the right track.
“I am satisfied, because I had asked the directors for certain characteristics in specific roles rather than naming names, and they gave me those. The old guard have helped the newcomers to settle quickly, while the new players are getting accustomed to a style of football that they are not used to.
“I always knew Pulisic was a talent, this was never in doubt. In the phone call I had with him before he signed, it was evident that he was bringing a lot of quality to the squad. On top of that, he is also a very versatile player who can fill in for Leao or play behind the striker when needed.”
