Stefano Pioli has taken Milan to the Champions League semi-finals, but remembers where it all started in the Europa League preliminary rounds. ‘Everyone thought we were the underdogs, but we have great heart.’
The Rossoneri had a 1-0 first leg lead to protect and added to the advantage when Rafael Leao ran from his own half to set up Olivier Giroud’s tap-in.
Giroud needed that boost, having earlier seen his penalty parried by Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret, a fate that also befell Kvicha Kvaratskhelia at the hands of Mike Maignan late on.
Victor Osimhen’s diving header was too late to turn things around and Milan are back in the Champions League semi-final for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2007.
“We remember full well where our European journey started against Rio Ave. Everyone thought we were the underdogs, but we have a great heart, we wanted this with all we had and I congratulate my lads,” Pioli told Mediaset.
Milan will likely face their city rivals Inter in a European Derby during the semi-final, as the Nerazzurri have a 2-0 lead from the first leg with Benfica.
“It would look like that, as Inter won the first leg so well. These will be another two difficult, exciting and wonderful clashes in the Champions League. We’ve done a great deal and don’t want to stop now.”
Pioli is the seventh different Milan coach to reach the Champions League semi-finals, the first since Carlo Ancelotti 16 years ago.
“I think the small advantage of the 1-0 in the first leg helped us in one sense and blocked us in another. We chose, considering Osimhen was there, to sit a little deeper and not allow him those spaces where he can be devastating.
“We should’ve passed it around better in the second half, but many of these players had never even thought of coming so close to the Champions League semi-final. I saw an enormous sacrifice from my players, we trusted each other and our way of playing football to overcome a great Napoli side that caused us problems over both legs. We won it with heart, energy and belief.
“I am happy for our fans, who supported us above all when things were not going well and we are proud to have fans like this.”
Rade Krunic was the tactical key in all three of the Milan games against Napoli this month, 4-0 in Serie A, 1-0 at San Siro and the 1-1 draw here, playing in the trequartista role to unite the midfield to the attack.
“Rade has this way of reading the game that few other players have, both with attacking and defensive moves. It takes patience at a club like Milan and to be able to handle pressure, which is what we did today.”
He also got a hug from Rafael Leao, who burst in during the interview to embrace his coach.