Barcelona 4-0 AC Milan
Managers reactions:
Barcelona Jordi Roura: “These players are special”
The fans were decisive, they were superb. Their support was fantastic. We had a very clear idea of how we needed to play. We tried to open up the pitch on one side more than the other. We fixed our centre forward position and that stopped their full backs from coming forward.”
“At the break we were right where we wanted to be, level on aggregate. I told the players to be calm. Frankly it was pretty difficult when we were up 3-0 and it seemed as though Milan could have scored from any play. We controlled the tempo of the match and with the 4-0 it was over.”
“the players were overly criticised and they showed that they are special. They played with intensity, commitment, and that should make us proud. “Leo gave us a majestic lesson of what it means to play football. He’s an extraordinary player, and when he’s surrounded by the best he has no limits.”
AC MILAN MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI
“Barcelona did very well for the first half an hour. They had four shots from outside the area in the first half and the players did well top concede so little. Niang hitting the post was a big chance for us. The fourth goal was a disappointment as we could have knocked the ball into the box and looked to score ourselves. Now we have to concentrate on the league. It’s disappointing as we had a good chance tonight and the players did well to create that chance. Sometimes, matches are decided by centimeters and this time it was the post that kept the ball out. Pazzini would have been an important player tonight in the last 20 minutes. Myself and the players have nothing to regret though.
I’m sorry for the club and the fans but given the young age of the squad that we have now, there’ll be time to get to another Champions League semi-final or even the final. Sunday is another game and we shouldn’t look back. For the first goal we could have defended better and I think in the end it’s a part of the growing process that this team needs. Even at 3-0 we had a couple of chances to go through. The first half hour was very tough. We should have just knocked the ball away.
Instead we tried to play ball and we lost. The players should be satisfied with what they did. With a bit of luck we’d be here talking about a completely different result. Now we thing about Palermo. The team is in good shape and we’ll be ready for Sunday.”
