Bennacer keen on being ‘a leader’ for Milan and praises Pioli: 'He never hid'

Following the defeat against Torino last night, Ismael Bennacer spoke to the media and shared his thoughts on what went wrong for AC Milan. While it was a lacklustre performance, he made it clear that it wasn’t due to their attitude. 

Milan struggled to impose themselves from the start, seeing a lot of the ball but creating little when going forward. Torino, on the other hand, made the most of their time on the ball as they punished the Rossoneri for defending poorly.

Speaking to DAZN after the game, as cited by MilanNews, Bennacer spoke about the performance and although he was disappointed, he stated that it wasn’t due to their attitude. He also praised Stefano Pioli, whose tenure at the club is coming to an end.

Did today depend on a different motivation between the two teams?

“I don’t think it was a question of will. We wanted to win too. We know we are second but we still want to do as much as possible. We didn’t concede much, they scored two goals from two crosses. We weren’t careful, we have to work on this, individually and collectively, to not get these things wrong and to have more opportunities.”

Are you ready to be the next leader of this team that will lose Giroud and Kjaer?

“It’s not something you prepare, it’s something I tried to learn from them who are leaders. Of course, next season I will do everything I can. I’m not someone who talks a lot off the field, on the field I will always be there and I will always give everything, trying to help the team in the best possible way.”

What has Pioli been for you in recent years?

“He gave a Scudetto to Milan which is something great, even if it must be normal for Milan. Every year we fight to win it and go further in Europe. It’s something we didn’t have before. Even if things went badly sometimes, the coach always did his best for the team, for us and for the club. He never hid. I don’t know what will happen but I respect him a lot for what he has done for the club, for me and for the players. We learned a lot from him.”

Will you stay at Milan? What more can you give?

“Of course, every year I try to give something more. I have been here at Milan for six years. I have to learn this role as a leader and to be an example.”

The Algerian has certainly regained some form in recent weeks after what has been a very tough season for him. Missing more than half due to injuries, and with Milan sometimes struggling, he hasn’t been able to blossom.