AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli insisted that his side can turn the tie around in the second leg after a 2-0 loss against arch-rivals Inter Milan at San Siro today in the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League (UCL).
Inter scored two goals within 12 minutes of the game with the help of Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to get ahead of Milan.
However, Pioli believes that it was a game of two halves, and especially with the return of Portuguese winger Rafael Leo, they can overturn a two-goal deficit.
“We had the chances in the second half, so naturally in the second leg, we need more quality and a more aggressive attitude. We need to raise the bar and play from the start with something much closer to the second-half performance,” he said.
“The lads are well aware this wasn’t the performance or the result we wanted, they are disappointed, but we know we still have a chance to turn it around,” Pioli added.
While analysing the match, Pioli insisted that Inter were more clinical as they took their half chances very well.
“We intended to be compact, intense, and aggressive, but Inter had the better in lots of 50-50 situations, and that helped them take control of the game. They also did well to convert those two early chances, which made it difficult for us on a tactical and mental level. I saw a strong reaction and that is what we must build on for the next match,” he concluded.
AC Milan’s center-back also talked to the press after the match.
“Yeah, obviously we're disappointed. Just the way we started the game, conceding two goals early on like that,” ' Tomori told BT Sport. “It was difficult but it is only the first game. We can't let our heads drop.”
The loss to Inter was Milan's third defeat by their neighbours in a single season, something they have not experienced since the 1994-95 campaign.
The second leg between the two clubs will be played on Tuesday, May 16 at San Siro.