Rafael Leao explains how he felt when hitting the woodwork in the win over Newcastle United and why they now need to focus on winning the Europa League. ‘It is a trophy Milan have never won.’
The Rossoneri were in a tight spot going into this final game, knowing they had to win and hope PSG also lose away to Borussia Dortmund.
They held up their end of the bargain, fighting back from a Joelinton opener to take the 2-1 result from St. James’ Park with Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze, but Gianluigi Donnarumma’s PSG grabbed a 1-1 draw in Germany.
It means the Italians drop down into the Europa League play-offs, while Newcastle are out of Europe altogether.
“We wanted to continue in the Champions League, but we celebrated at the final whistle because these are still three important points,” Leao told Amazon Prime Video Italia.
“Now we enter the Europa League and will try to win it, because it is a trophy that Milan have never won.”
Even when it was still called the UEFA Cup, it is practically the only major UEFA trophy that still evades the club.
It could easily have been more goals for Milan in Newcastle, because both Leao and Fikayo Tomori thumped the same upright in the second half.
“I was disappointed, that would’ve been important to boost my confidence. Unfortunately, we were not able to achieve our objective of staying in the Champions League, but we are still in Europe.”
The Portugal international had been out of action for a month with a thigh injury and looked decidedly rusty this evening.
“It was difficult. These moments of increased responsibility help me to grow. I wasn’t feeling great in the first half, but the team helped me raise my level after the break.”