Alessandro Florenzi admitted that he was angry with Rafael Leao after he missed two big chances to make AC Milan’s night more comfortable against Newcastle United.
Milan beat Newcastle 2-1 at St. James’ Park in the Champions League to secure their place in the Europa League, but the Rossoneri are out of the competition and must settle for a Europa League spot.
Anthony Gordon laid it on a plate for Joelinton on the edge of the box who smashed a superb shot into the top corner to make it 1-0, but Christian Pulisic fired in an equaliser and Samuel Chukwueze came off the bench to score a beautifully taken winner inside the final 10 minutes.
Interviewed by Sky, Florenzi commented on the win against Newcastle and admitted that a second group stage victory was nice but the feeling is not as sweet as it could and should have been.
“A smile of regret. We won and played a great game in the second half. The regret of going down to the Europa League remains, but the objective was clear. Then what happened happened,” he said (via MilanNews).
On Leao: “Everyone knows how important he is. Today I’m angry with him: he should have finished with a brace. A player like him shouldn’t miss those opportunities.”
On the Europa League: “It must be an objective, there are strong teams in the Europa League too. I think we have to look game after game, wait for some returns, but already from tonight we have had many strong changes that we have missed. Whoever came in has gave a lot. Tommaso Pobega also gave two or three tackles.”