Football
ESPN staff 7y

Stefano Pioli: Inter 'deserved' cup win despite conceding twice

Stefano Pioli said Inter Milan "deserved" their 3-2 win over Bologna in the Coppa Italia despite seeing his side need extra time after wasting a two-goal lead.

Inter were ahead 2-0 after Jeison Murillo's magnificent bicycle kid and a second from Rodrigo Palacio, but Blerim Dzemaili pulled one back for Bologna before the break and Godfred Donsah equalised in the 73rd minute.

But Antonio Candreva found the winner in the extra period, and Pioli thought his team was good value for the win despite the drama.

"It was a good game with a lot of chances," Pioli told Rai. "We had the game in our hands, but this match is proof that if you switch off for a moment, games can be reopened.

"Compliments to Bologna and also to my team who wanted to get through this round. It was an even match but in the end we deserved to win."

Pioli also had praise for Roberto Gagliardini, who made his second straight game since moving from Atalanta. 

"He's a complete midfielder; he has positional sense, he knows how to move. I've asked him to get forward and he's doing well in both phases of the game," Pioli said. 

"Along with [Geoffrey] Kondogbia he's had two good performances, but we also have [Marcelo] Brozovic who was doing well before his suspension and we're lucky to have such good players.

"Gagliardini has adapted immediately and now we turn our attentions to the match with Palermo, who will play the game of their lives, but we want to keep winning."

Pioli gave a first start to Brazilian starlet Gabigol, and the coach was pleased with his performance despite removing him after 71 minutes.

"He's grown a lot with the work we do every day," Pioli said. "He had a good game, but he can do even better. I'm satisfied with him, but he knows he can do even better."

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