'Little has changed' in Scudetto race despite Napoli mistake, says Pioli

Milan manager Stefano Pioli insists Napoli's first Serie A defeat of the season didn't change much in the race for the Scudetto ahead of Sunday's clash against Roma.

Serie A champions AC Milan successfully returned to action after the World Cup break on Wednesday, beating Salernitana 2-1 after taking a two-goal lead inside 15 minutes.

The result brought the Rossoneri within five points of leaders Napoli, a gap which the Partenopei failed to extend when they lost their first league defeat of the campaign at Inter.

Milan ended an 11-year wait to capture the Scudetto in outstanding form in the second half of last season, and Pioli believes they will have to produce something similar to meet Napoli's challenge this season.

"Little has changed in one game," Pioli said on Saturday. “We are not here to count the points behind.

"We have to race and we need a lot of points to win the Scudetto. We think we will play well, raise the level and win tomorrow.

"Roma are a strong and complete team, they have important attacking and physical qualities. They lost against Napoli in the last games and won against Inter, we will respect them a lot.

"Then there is us, our will and our determination. Let's come back to play San Siro and we will do it with enthusiasm and energy."

Pioli will not be able to call on Mike Maignan against Roma as the goalkeeper's recovery from the thigh injury that ruled him out of the World Cup is taking longer than expected.

When asked when Maignan will return, Pioli said: "We don't have a timing, we shouldn't take any risks and I can't say if it will be in two, three, four or five weeks.

"The muscle isn't responding as it should, now I can't say when we'll have it available."

Sunday's game will see Pioli battle Jose Mourinho, with the Milan boss the only manager to have faced him more than once in Serie A and boast a 100% winning record.

Following Roma's 3-1 defeat in that same game 12 months ago, Mourinho said he was "doubly happy" to have turned down the chance to coach Milan in 2019, but Pioli refused to get caught up in a war of words with his Giallorossi counterpart.

"Everyone can express their opinion," Pioli said when reminded of Mourinho's comments. "Milan was a great opportunity for me and I will take advantage of it for as long as possible."