Stefano Pioli explains why Milan struggle so much against Inter after four consecutive defeats and admits ‘huge disappointment’ in not reaching the Champions League Final.
It was a mountain to climb after going 2-0 down within 11 minutes of the first leg, but even the return of Rafael Leao from injury failed to improve matters.
The Portugal international had the best chance with an angled drive that skimmed the base of the far post in the first half, but Mike Maignan had to make several huge saves.
Lautaro Martinez sealed the deal on the day with a smart finish at the base of the near post after substitute Romelu Lukaku’s assist.
“There is huge disappointment, let us not beat around the bush. It was a great journey and nobody a side that went out in the group stage last season could reach the semi-final beating teams like Tottenham and Napoli, but we still wanted to reach the Final,” Pioli told Sport Mediaset.
“There is also disappointment because unfortunately we ruined the semi-final with the first 15 minutes of the first leg. For the rest, we faced a very strong team and were largely up to the task. We had a few chances to break the deadlock this evening and that might’ve helped, but probably not enough.
“I cannot reproach my players for anything, as they gave their all, we tried with our style of football and all the energy we had left. Now we need to end the season on a high, because it would be a pity not to.”
This was the fourth consecutive Derby della Madonnina that Milan lost in 2023, between Serie A, the Supercoppa Italiana and Champions League, all without scoring a single goal.
That is the worst run in history for the Rossoneri, failing to find the net in four attempts.
“If you start a semi-final and are 2-0 down after 12 minutes, that’s going to make a big difference. It’s true that the final result affects judgment of a performance, but I thought tonight it was far closer to the second half of the first leg, it was largely very even and we just didn’t take our chances. That was our limitation in these two matches.
“We weren’t as dangerous upfront as we usually are, which is due to Inter’s defensive solidity, but also that we didn’t raise the tempo and weren’t precise enough in our passing. At this level, you need to raise the bar and we tried everything, but weren’t sharp enough. Inter tended to score their first opportunity against us, whereas we didn’t do the same.”
Pioli did not make any substitutions until after Inter had taken the lead this evening at the 74th minute.
“I was preparing the changes when they scored. The team was controlling the ball well and we got to the edge of their area several times, but we lacked the precision and quality to make those situations count. Then as we were preparing the substitutions, the goal came and it ended there.”
Now their only hope to rescue a disappointing campaign is to secure a top four finish and qualify for the Champions League next season, a real fall from grace after winning the Scudetto last term.
Keep starting Diaz, and next season it won’t be the last 4 of european competitions but the last 4 of the most incompetent.
This guy is delusional! Inter won becose Inter were better, periodt!