Despite not been a starter since joining Milan from Villarreal in the summer, Stefano Pioli has spoken on why Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze made his start against Newcastle United.
Milan hosted the Premier League side to a goalless draw at the San Siro, thus refusing to to bounce back with a win following the derby defeat at the weekend.
Speaking to Sky ahead of the game, as cited by FootballItalia, Pioli shared his thoughts on why he had to play both Tommaso Pobega and Samuel Chukwueze from start.
“We return to San Siro to play the first Champions League game. It is a different competition, we must not think about what we failed to do last time, but focus on playing to our strengths with our own characteristics.
“This is the first game of a tough group, so we need the right approach against an opponent that makes aggression, intensity and physical strength their greatest weapons.”
“Chukwueze is rapid, good at one-on-one situations, taking on a tall and physical full-back, but one with a very different pace to him. Pobega is very good at running into the box and entering those spaces.”
The Nigerian played for 61 minutes and was replaced with Christian Pulisic.
