DBasia.news – AC Milan failed to penetrate the Coppa Italia final because of a 0-1 defeat to Lazio in the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg at San Siro, Thursday (25/4) early WIB. The only goal in the match was scored by Joaquin Correa.
The defeat was the fourth defeat in seven matches in all competitions – only one win. Milan’s performance should show that the squad has two personalities as they have been unbeaten in 10 matches since January 2019.
Milan did not show the mentality of playing a big team that had won seven Champions League titles. In fact, Lazio is superior to them at San Siro through 17 kicks and 10 kicks on target.
Milan only released nine attempted kicks with two strikes on target. Their possession does not mean much against the determination of Lazio players who reached the third final in the last five years.
“The only thing that shows heart, passion, determination, and ideas (playing), even tonight, is Milan fans. It’s a shame,” said Matteo Salvini, Italian Prime Minister of Internal Affairs who is a Milan fan.
Gennaro Gattuso, Milan coach, who is famously outspoken in his every word, has become embarrassed to see his own team’s performance. Without covering the facts, Gattuso considered Lazio indeed worthy of the Coppa Italia final.
“We survived well in the first round, but after the break Lazio had three opportunities. We did not drain the ball enough,” said Gattuso, quoted from Football-Italy.
“We must try to understand why we are in a negative trend. Lazio deserve to qualify and fans deserve more tonight.”
“Something has not worked and we have had difficulties since last month. I think this is not only a matter of physical, but also mental, and tactical as we performed below our capabilities.”
“I think this is not a system or individual problem, but the whole team took a step back. We did not play freely and had to pay the price. We tried to play a life of death game today, but it didn’t work. There’s no point in denying, we were embarrassed tonight and have to keep looking forward, “he explained.
Simone Inzaghi, Lazio coach, actually beieves that Milan should be grateful to have an experienced and quality goalkeeper, Pepe Reina, who kept the Milan goal be conceded more than one goal.
“We achieved something very great and very well deserved by the kids at San Siro. We are fully worthy of qualifying, but now we have to focus on Serie A to build momentum before the final. We could have won early, but Pepe Reina appeared very well, “said Inzaghi.
“I think Thomas Strakosha (Lazio goalkeeper) did not make a single save. I want to commend these players, who played with perseverance,” he continued.
Getting eliminated from the Coppa Italia, Milan will now try to maintain a position in the top four in Serie A in the remaining five matches from the pursuit of Atalanta, AS Roma, Lazio and Torino. Milan won 56 points followed by Atalanta (56 points), Roma (55 points), Torino (53 points) and Lazio (52 points).
In his last five games, Alessio Romagnoli and mates will fight Torino (29/4), Bologna (7/5), Fiorentina (12/5), Frosinone (19/5), and SPAL (26/5).