Olivier Giroud insists Milan ‘deserved’ to reach the Champions League quarter-final and feels they ‘could’ve won this second leg as well’ against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Rossoneri were already leading from the first leg with a Brahim Diaz goal and missed two sitters at San Siro, while this evening Mike Maignan had only one real save to make in stoppages on a Harry Kane header.
Divock Origi also hit the woodwork late on after Cristian Romero got himself sent off for two bookable offences.
This goalless draw means they go through 1-0 on aggregate and are in the Champions League quarter-final for the first time since 2012.
“It’s great. I told the lads we deserved to be in the Champions League last year and this season we wanted to go further,” Giroud told Amazon Prime Italia.
“We deserved to go through against Tottenham thanks to our team spirit and determination. I think we could’ve won this second leg as well and it’s a pity we didn’t score, as we had the clearest opportunities.”
Giroud had been at risk for this game after suffering from flu symptoms, but put in the work upfront.
“I sacrificed myself and played further away from goal to knock the ball on for my teammates. I didn’t have many chances myself, but the important thing tonight was the result.”
Milan had failed to qualify for the Champions League for seven years in a row, but this was their second consecutive season in the competition and their first into the knockout rounds.
Need to be far more clinical in front of goal. Over 180 minutes, Milan totally deserved the victory and should’ve made it more comfortable. But if you don’t punish the opposition, there will always be the chance for allowing them to get back in.