Milan coach Stefano Pioli insists the Rossoneri have no regrets despite Borussia Dortmund’s qualification for the Champions League Final and an Oliver Giroud penalty kick miss.
Milan met Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League group stage. It was this season’s ‘Group of death’ as it included eventual semi-finalists PSG plus Premier League side Newcastle.
The Rossoneri collected one point in two games against Borussia, resulting from a 0-0 draw in Germany and a 3-1 loss at home. Giroud missed a penalty kick in the opening stages of the San Siro showdown at the end of November, while Marco Reus didn’t miss his chance from the spot giving Borussia the lead at minute 10.
A reporter asked Pioli on Friday whether Borussia Dortmund’s qualification for the Champions League Final has caused him any regret.
“It makes the difference to be in top shape over the two legs,” he replied as quoted by TMW.
“[In the Bundesliga] they [Borussia] are fifth, 25 points below Bayer. They’ve had difficult moments this season, but they’ve made the most of positive moments in Europe. I could say that if Giroud had scored that penalty, we would have had some [regrets], but they also had a chance and they exploited it.”
Pioli said more during his latest meeting with the media, claiming that reaching the Champions League semifinal last season was an undervalued achievement only because the Rossoneri were eliminated by city rivals Inter.