Pioli accepts Inter are Scudetto favourites despite Milan going top of Serie A

Milan coach Stefano Pioli thinks Inter remain Scudetto favourites despite seeing his Rossoneri side beat Napoli 1-0 to go top of Serie A on Sunday.

Both teams knew they could breathe new life into their respective title challenges with a win at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, but it was the visitors who left with the victory.

Olivier Giroud’s instinctive finish early in the second half following Davide Calabria’s wayward shot proved decisive, that goal being enough to return Milan to the summit with 60 points, two clear of Inter.

But Inter do still have a game in hand, and as such Pioli recognises the defending champions have to still be considered the team to beat.

Speaking to DAZN after the game, Pioli said: “For sure, we’ve not done as well against the so-called smaller teams, however, we won’t have many direct clashes [with title rivals].

“But since the calendar tells us we have many of these games to come, honestly we have to do more.

“It is clear that there are difficulties for everyone, we are not a perfect team. We have to show that we have learned the lessons [against lesser sides]. Attitude and quality will be important in the next matches.

What a night, what a win! #NapoliMilan #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/uzVuIMaCkK

— AC Milan (@acmilan) March 6, 2022

“The favourites are still Inter. Inter are a very strong team and the standings are still virtual. I’m sorry that there are games left over to be played, it would be more correct if we had all played the same number of games at this point in the championship.

“We have to concentrate on getting a lot of points.”

Giroud once again proved his value to Milan, with the Frenchman scoring his eighth Serie A goal despite starting just 12 games.

There were many who questioned his signing when Milan spent just €1million in acquiring him from Chelsea at the start of the season, but for Pioli there was never any doubt what Giroud could add.

“My idea and the club’s idea was to include players of experience, who had already won something, who know what it means to work to win,” Pioli added.

“There is always a great need for people with stature. A video call was enough for us to understand what a professional he was.

“The more players with charisma and personality you have – especially for us who have a very young team – the better.”