Pioli refuses to use ESL distraction as an excuse
Stefano Pioli did not take the opportunity to highlight Milan's involvement in the European Super League saga as a distraction after their 2-1 defeat to Sassuolo.
The Rossoneri were among 12 elite clubs - including three from Serie A - to sign up for the controversial breakaway competition on Sunday.
An angry response from fans, players, coaches, governing bodies, governments and the media prompted several outfits to rethink, though, with England's 'big six' all backing out on Tuesday.
Milan followed suit on Thursday (AEST), confirming their withdrawal just five hours before kick-off against Sassuolo.
With their place in a continental tournament no longer secured as a result, Pioli's side have work to do to qualify for the Champions League.
Milan are second but the loss to Sassuolo, having led through Hakan Calhanoglu, opens the door for fifth-placed Napoli to close to within three points if they win their game in hand against Lazio.
Giacomo Raspadori was Sassuolo's two-goal match-winner, but Pioli chose not to look for an excuse.
"It did not affect us," he told Sky Sport. "We did not let ourselves be distracted by anything.
"We are focused on our goal. These are things that we have not decided and we have not talked about."
Pioli was asked about comments made by Milan technical director Paolo Maldini before the game in which the Rossoneri great apologised for the club's Super League involvement despite insisting he had no knowledge of the discussions.
"I don't think anyone could have had any doubts about Paolo's moral integrity," Pioli said.
"He has many values, he expressed himself for what he feels. If he said those things, it means that he has these feelings."
Maldini had said: "I have never been involved in the discussions related to the Super League.
"I only heard the news on Sunday, like all of you, through the joint communications that have been published.
"It's something that's been decided at a higher level than my role. In any case, this does not exempt me from taking responsibility for apologising to Milan fans who have felt betrayed in the fundamental principles of sport that we have always respected."
He added: "It is normal that in 2021 a manager [director] of a great team cannot fail to know that revenues and sustainability are important concepts.
"But if we can learn a lesson from this story it is to have understood how far we can go.
"[We can] definitely not change the principles of sport that consist of meritocracy and dreams that must be guaranteed to everyone."
