Allegri sorry for Cup exit

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has apologised to the club’s fans for their Coppa Italia semi-final defeat at the hands of Palermo.

The newly crowned Serie A champions lost 2-1 at Palermo on Tuesday in the second leg of the tie, which Palermo won 4-3 on aggregate, and Allegri said he was sorry for the manner in which his team defended at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.

“We have conceded a goal on a corner kick and if we had concentrated a bit more we would have avoided it,” Allegri said.

“Then the match became more difficult, even though the players did their best to get back into the match, trying to draw in order to force extra time.”

“They (Palermo) put in a good performance and did a good job in midfield.”

“They limited us to very few opportunities, even if though my players did a good job and I’m satisfied with their performance. Of course I’m sorry as we are out of the competition.”

Palermo head coach Delio Rossi, meanwhile, was overjoyed to see his side reach their first Coppa Italia final since 1979.

They will now meet either Inter Milan or Roma in the final on May 29, as they look to win the tournament for the first time in the club’s history.

“When such things happen, it takes me some time to fully understand them,” Rossi said.

“Personally I can’t quantify the pleasure for a qualification like I do with the regret for a defeat. I believe that the regret for a defeat is bigger than the pleasure for a win.”

“We have played against a team which is surely stronger than us, but we have deserved to win in these 180 minutes because of the number of occasions we have created.”

“We have had some problems in the first half of the match since the legs were a bit stiff.”

“At the end of the first half of the match I’ve told the guys, that we could even lose the match but we have to try and play as we have always done and indeed the spirit has changed in the second half of the match.”

“I’m satisfied especially for the guys since they have deserved this win. This is a serious team, as I’ve already said.”