Former manager Arrigo Sacchi has praised AC Milan’s performance in the win over Red Bull Salzburg that sealed progression into the Champions League knockout stages.
It was known before the game that avoiding defeat against the Austrian champions would be enough to secure second in the group, and it is certainly reassuring that the team got the job done in such dominant fashion as Milan join Chelsea in the last 16.
Olivier Giroud ensured Milan went in 1-0 up at the break with an excellent header from a corner, and the game was then killed off before the hour mark and Giroud’s influence could not be stopped as he set up Rade Krunic for a header to make it 2-0.
It was three when the Frenchman buried a loose ball from close range, and Junior Messias added some gloss in the closing stages with a nice curling shot, with Giroud again the provider.
Sacchi commented on the result during his usual column for La Gazzetta dello Sport to discuss the performance of Pioli’s side, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
“Milan, with a performance of great commitment, deservedly beat Salzburg and get through to the next round. I admired the team spirit: no one held back, everyone fought, even Leao. If he continues like this, the Portuguese will have no regrets: I wish him so,” he said.
“But Milan need greater compactness. I think the Rossoneri have everything to be able to grow and this is an important point from which to start. And then, to push Milan, it must never be forgotten, there is history. And history in football matters a lot.”
