Inter Milan boss, Simone Inzagh, was delighted with his side’s performance after a 2-0 win against rivals AC Milan in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal clash and inisits his side could have put the game to bed in the first half if they were more clinical.
Edin Dzeko opened the scoring for Inter via a fine volley after eight minutes before Henrikh Mkhitaryan made it 2-0 just three minutes later at the San Siro.
But with Hakan Calhanoglu also hitting the post and Inter having a penalty overturned, Inzaghi said his side could have done better with their chances.
Inzaghi says Inter should have scored more
“We had an extraordinary first half, the scoreline was tighter than it should have been, with what we created,” Inzaghi said. “The guys were really great in managing such an emotional match.
“We have to continue like this. We know that we’re just one step away from a dream that we believed in from August until today.”
“This is obviously a derby, so it’s even more emotional,” Inzaghi added. “The lads know that we have to do exactly what we did against Benfica [in the quarterfinal]: not thinking about managing the match, but playing our own game, with the quality that we have shown on the field.”
Milan were without key forward Rafael Leão, who continued to nurse a thigh injury and defender Fikayo Tomori admitted that the pressure of the Champions League caught up with his side.
“Obviously disappointed. Just the way we started the game, conceding two early goals like that,” he told BT Sport. “The first one from a corner and then straight after. It’s difficult when it’s 0-0 but to go two goals down in the first 15 minutes is a kick in the teeth.
“It took us a while to get back in the game. There was a bit of anxiety in the team. In a game like this you can’t do that.”
Despite the result, Milan boss Stefano Pioli remains confident his side can turn the game around.
“I know my team, I know my players, I know we can do better,” Milan manager Stefano Pioli said. “I know Inter is a very strong team, but we’re not any less. It will be a difficult night mentally for both teams, the last chance to get into the final.
“We have the chance to put them in difficulty, to score goals, to try to get this back on track … We have to give everything we have — talent and heart — to turn around a situation that has become difficult but not impossible.”
