Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi remains cautious and believes there is still work to be done to secure a spot in the Champions League final, despite a convincing 2-0 victory over city rivals AC Milan in the first leg of the semi-finals.
Inter got off to a flying start, scoring two goals within the first 11 minutes through Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. They had opportunities to further extend their lead during a dominant first-half performance.
AC Milan showed improvement in the second half but will be relieved to still be within reach of the 2010 champions after a disappointing display in front of their home supporters.
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Inzaghi, speaking after the match, expressed his satisfaction with the result but emphasized that there is more work to be done. He acknowledged that his team could have capitalized on additional scoring opportunities and stressed the importance of maintaining focus and effort in the second leg.
Inzaghi told Amazon Prime Video: “We could have done more than the two goals, but a great match. We’ve already gone through some rounds, we know we’re ahead.
“Now there will be a second leg, we will have our fans with us and clearly we know that we will still have to make a huge effort to make a dream come true.
“I asked for it yesterday, heart and mind. They covered every inch of the pitch and those who came in helped us.
“That’s how performances like this are done. Now it’s right to be happy, but we know that we are still missing a piece.”
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Despite their advantage, Inzaghi understands the threat that AC Milan poses and is fully aware that the tie is far from over. He urged his players to remain cautious and continue their strong performance in the upcoming second leg.
AC Milan manager Stefano Piolo admitted that his team struggled in various aspects of the game, including tackles and winning second balls. He acknowledged the need for a different approach in the second leg and called for an improved performance from his players.
Inter’s victory puts them in a favorable position, but AC Milan remains determined to stage a comeback and turn the tie around. Both teams will now focus on preparing for the second leg, which promises to be an intense and closely contested battle for a place in the Champions League final.