Stefano Pioli insists that his Milan side are not inferior to city rivals Inter and says they will try and score goals in the second-leg. A torrid first half saw the Rossoneri go two goals down in the first 11 minutes in their Champions League semi-final match against the Nerazzurri. An improved second half saw more chances for the home side, including a Sandro Tonali effort that hit the woodwork and some half chances for Brahim Diaz and Olivier Giroud. Despite the result, Pioli was adamant that the tie was not over yet, and explained the approach Milan would take next week in his post-match press conference:
Was the worst thing the approach?
“Yes, we definitely did not start as we should have and as we had prepared, although Inter scored on the first set piece, however it is clear that they did better in the first half, they beat us on second balls, were better in duels. In the second half the regret is for a goal we would have deserved, we will have to restart from that.”
What leaves you confident for the return leg?
“I know my team, my players, I know that Inter are very strong but we are not inferior. It will be a heavy night mentally for both teams and we have a chance to straighten out this transition.”
A historical problem on loose balls…
“We don’t have a lot of height, it’s true. But we got surprised and they did well.”
How is Bennacer?
“I don’t know, he felt a pretty bad pain in his knee, he doesn’t remember when he got the injury but it was sore.”
Do you want a team that trains serenely or is super focused?
“The best thing would be somewhere in between, clearly we have to be worried but my players are great professionals and they know we only have one last chance. We will have to play it with everything we have, we want to turn around a difficult but not impossible situation.”
How many chances do you give yourselves in the return?
“It’s difficult, it won’t be a walkover or an easy game, we know that. We will try to score goals, take the lead, we just have to believe in it and play better than tonight, especially in the first half.”
