Niang vows to step away from penalty duty
After his latest botched attempt, M'Baye Niang is relinquishing his hold on the penalty spot.
The athletic forward made it two unsuccessful efforts in two on Monday, failing to give AC Milan the lead over AS Roma from 12 yards, just eight days after he couldn't convert in a 2-1 win over Crotone following a dispute with Gianluca Lapadula over who would take the penalty.
"There's no problem with Lapadula. Tonight before the spot-kick he told me to focus and stay calm. I'll let Lapadula take the next one, as he deserves it and is going through a period where he has more confidence than me," a disconsolate Niang told Milan TV, as reported by Football Italia.
His inability to beat Wojciech Szczesny between the sticks just half-an-hour into the contest was costly, with the Stadio Olimpico's host going on to take all three points thanks to a sweet 62nd-minute swerver from Radja Nainggolan.
Related - Watch: Roma's Nainggolan pokes in 20-yard winner vs. AC Milan
The result allowed Roma to extend its advantage over third-placed Milan to three points, and the latter's gap between leader Juventus now stands at seven points after 16 Serie A matches.
"In my view we had a really good team performance and must continue along this path. It's a shame about the penalty," Niang continued.
"I am going through a difficult time. I took the responsibility of the penalty again this evening and I am really sorry, but at these moments when things go wrong you have to get your head down and work."
And Vincenzo Montella's squad doesn't have much time to recuperate. Milan welcomes top-tier surprise package Atalanta to Lombardy on Saturday.