"On 9 October 2019, Stefano Pioli was named Milan's new manager, amidst a climate of intense skepticism from the Rossoneri crowd. The likes of Luciano Spalletti and Gennaro Gattuso were linked as replacements for Marco Giampaolo, but Pioli was chosen. Not many approved of the hire and there was a viral online protest. Yet, in the space of five seasons, Pioli took over a team that were 11th in the table, qualifying for the Champions League, lifting the Scudetto and getting to the final four in Europe's top competition."
"Who knows what would have happened if, five years ago, those penalties against Rio Ave hadn't gone the way they did. On 1 October 2020, a dramatic Europa League play-off encounter went to penalties thanks to Hakan Calhanoglu's late equaliser. The score: 11-10 after 24 penalties. Pioli, post-match, limited himself to a 'yes, they can do better than tonight'. He was right: the Rossoneri went 13 consecutive games unbeaten in the league, finishing second in Serie A and getting to the round of 16 in Europe."
Stefano Pioli returns to San Siro as Fiorentina manager to face AC Milan, the club where he achieved his career high. Pioli arrived at Milan amid heavy skepticism on 9 October 2019 but transformed a team sitting 11th into Champions League qualifiers and 2021-22 Scudetto winners. A dramatic Europa League penalty shootout on 1 October 2020 preceded a long unbeaten run and strong league finish. Tactical adjustments, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic's arrival and a switch to a double attacking midfield, helped Milan recover from heavy defeats and re-establish competitiveness at the top level.
Read at SempreMilan
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