Stefano Pioli leaves the Europa League with regrets after Milan lost 1-0 at home to Manchester United during an injury crisis. ‘I don’t think we deserved to go out over the two legs.’
The Rossoneri impressed over the two legs considering the injury crisis, which only intensified at San Siro, but were beaten by Paul Pogba pouncing on a Soualiho Meite error from six yards for 2-1 on aggregate.
Stefano Pioli leaves the Europa League with regrets after Milan lost 1-0 at home to Manchester United during an injury crisis. ‘I don’t think we deserved to go out over the two legs.’
The Rossoneri impressed over the two legs considering the injury crisis, which only intensified at San Siro, but were beaten by Paul Pogba pouncing on a Soualiho Meite error from six yards for 2-1 on aggregate.
“It’s an elimination that really disappoints us, because over the two legs we played like a great team and should’ve scored in the first half,” the coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“It’s a pity, we did so much to get here and the team deserved to continue, but we had to give it a little bit more. I don’t think we deserved to go out.
“We are talking about a Manchester United side that reached the Europa League semi-final last season, that was in the Champions league group phase this term and two weeks ago beat Manchester City 2-0.
“Over the two legs, we did so much right, but the two goals we conceded were more down to our own errors than their credit, that’s what is disappointing.
“It becomes difficult for me to reproach my lads after two performances with heart, spirit, determination, courage and quality.
“Now we have to get right back on track in Serie A.”
The goal at San Siro was scored by Pogba after Soualiho Meite failed to clear from six yards.
“There were errors earlier too, we shouldn’t have allowed Bruno Fernandes to get it back, we shouldn’t have left Pogba unmarked from six yards out. There were a lot of situations that didn’t work there.”
With no strikers available tonight, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic only fit to play 30 minutes, Samu Castillejo had to start as a False 9.
“When the draw came and it was Manchester United, we were excited at the idea. They used their best players and we hoped that we’d be able to do the same.
“If we’d had even Mandzukic, Rebic or Leao off the bench tonight, it might’ve made a difference. We came really close and have to find that little extra within ourselves.
“I appreciated what Simon Kjaer said yesterday, we are young and that mustn’t be an alibi. We’ve grown a lot over the last year and a half, these two performances prove that, but it will also help us continue to grow for the future.
“We knew that we would have a tough season, as the top seven clubs in Serie A are very strong. The fact we’re still in the race for that Champions League spot shows how far we’ve come and now we want to play the final 11 games with a great spirit.
“It’s not an easy target to achieve, but we know that we’ve got what it takes.”
The regrets are above all from the first leg, especially the Franck Kessie goal disallowed for a debatable handball.
“Looking back over the Kessie goal feels like seeking justification, but even the overall performance there we had was superior. As for tonight, Manchester United kept more of the ball, but they pretty much never threatened.
“The regret tonight is that there were situations where their defence was not positioned properly and we made the wrong passing choice. We had hoped to at least score a goal and go to extra time.
“On the one hand, I was sad about the draw, but on the other I was pleased to measure ourselves up against a side that invested so much money in recent years aiming to win the Champions League.
“Seeing the performances over the two legs, I think we’ve very close to that level. Milan in not the best circumstances proved that we belong here.”