Milan is virtually out of the Champions League after losing 3-1 at home to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. The Rossoneri now need to win at Newcastle United and hope that Dortmund wins at home against Paris Saint-Germain in order to reach the round of 16.
Milan coach Stefano Pioli spoke to Sky Sport Italia after the match and gave his thoughts on the game.
On the match:
"We lost a game where we weren't able to take control. Once they went ahead, they sat back and counter-attacked very quickly. We played the right game until they went 2-1 up. At this level, you have to take advantage of certain situations and we didn't defend well, especially for their second goal. Thiaw's injury also played a part."
On the lack of quality:
"There was less quality, but not because we didn't create chances, but because we didn't take them. We helped a team that is ruthless on the counter-attack. We should have defended much better for their second goal when we were in numerical superiority. The opponents always managed to turn the momentum in their favor. We started well but didn't go ahead."
On the injury situation, Pioli said:
"It worries me, especially because they are not simple injuries and we have a lot of them in the same position, which will affect us in the next match. We are working hard with great commitment from everyone to overcome this period."
On qualifying:
"Getting through to the next round doesn't depend on us, we have to do our part and win against Newcastle. Then we'll see."
On what he said to Giroud at halftime, Pioli said:
"Of course I spoke to him, I saw that he was still thinking about that penalty moment. But he is a player with such experience that he had to overcome it. It wasn't his best night, that's for sure."
