Stefano Pioli feels Milan’s performance was not worthy of a 3-0 defeat to Inter and reacts bitterly to the controversial disallowed goal. ‘Samir Handanovic doesn’t even complain!’
The Rossoneri knew a score draw would be enough to qualify, as the first leg was 0-0 and tonight they were technically the ‘away’ team, with away goals still valid in this tournament.
However, Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring within four minutes and completed his brace by half-time.
Robin Gosens also got a late tap-in from the Marcelo Brozovic assist, but with the score still at 2-0, Ismael Bennacer’s goal was controversially disallowed, as the Pierre Kalulu offside position was considered to be interfering with play.
Overall, Milan had more shots on target than Inter, but were denied by Samir Handanovic and an Ivan Perisic goal-line clearance.
“We wanted to win, we didn’t achieve that, we were certainly up against a strong opponent. I don’t think the performance was worthy of a 3-0, but Inter scored at the right times,” Pioli told Mediaset.
“They scored early, we had the chances to get back in, naturally going 2-1 down would’ve created a different match and given us more momentum, so that was a difficult moment.
“When you concede three goals, it means the opposition played with more quality and we made errors. We didn’t lack for effort, intensity or chances, but it wasn’t our night. We wanted to reach the Final, but this is a great opportunity for the team to prove themselves up to the task and throw everything into the Serie A race, because we have everything it takes to go all the way.”
The verdict on the Bennacer goal was going to cause controversy regardless, as Kalulu was offside, but perhaps not covering Samir Handanovic’s view of the shot.
“Look at Handanovic’s reaction. He doesn’t even complain,” said Pioli after watching the replays.
“Tell me a goalkeeper who doesn’t react after conceding if a Milan player had damaged his view. Instead, he does nothing, they only complained about a handball that wasn’t even there. Come on! Come on…”
The refereeing expert in the studio admitted it was ‘very dubious’ and that Kalulu effectively did not cover Handanovic’s view.
In fact, if anyone was interfering with Handanovic’s view, it was his own teammates.
Pioli was so furious that he walked off without taking any further questions.