Allegri pleased with narrow escape

Massimiliano Allegri was relieved to see AC Milan reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League despite going down 3-0 away to Arsenal.

Serie A side Milan held a commanding 4-0 lead going into Tuesday’s second leg of their round-of-16 tie with English Premier League club Arsenal.

The hosts raced 3-0 ahead during a remarkable first half at the Emirates Stadium, but ultimately fell one goal short of completing what would have been a memorable comeback.

After seeing Milan scrape through 4-3 on aggregate, Allegri acknowledged his team’s tactical and technical errors during the contest.

“We played with three forwards and certainly suffered too much (as a consequence),” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“We conceded on the first corner and that affected us greatly; then we made too many mistakes in our passing in midfield.”

“I’d say we got the game completely wrong from a technical point of view, as we played too deep defensively.”

“It’s a shame about the defeat, but the objective was to get through. Now we have time to get a few more players back from injury.”

Allegri also denied his players had been overcome by fear during a torrid first half for the visitors.

“I did not see the team afraid as such; there are experienced players here,” he said.

“But in the dressing room (at half-time) I simply told them we had to wipe the first half from our memories and start from 0-0.”

“In any case, I am not too worried. It was a crucial game and it would’ve been a truly massive psychological blow for the rest of the season if we’d gone out (after leading) 4-0 from the first leg.”

Serie A league leaders Milan now turn their attention back to the defence of their Scudetto and a home match with Lecce on Sunday.

They will discover their Champions League quarter-final opponents when the draw for the next stage is held on March 16.