Van Bommel: Milan were ´outclassed´ by Arsenal

Mark van Bommel was relieved after AC Milan progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League despite losing to Arsenal on Tuesday.

The Italian side had arrived in north London with a four-goal advantage after their first-leg encounter with the Gunners at San Siro three weeks ago.

However, the Italian champions were 3-0 down by the break, following goals from Laurent Koscielny, Tomas Rosicky and Robin van Persie, and only just managed to progress to the last eight after shoring things up at the back in the second period.

Asked by NOS after the game if he was relieved, Van Bommel replied: “Yes, you can say that!”

“This game had everything. (But) I think it is our own fault, because we gave them the their confidence back.”

“In the first half, Arsenal outclassed us with their powerplay. But I think we played a lot better in the second half.”

Having managed to get through to the last eight of the Champions League, Milan must now switch their attention back to Serie A and Sunday’s meeting with Lecce at San Siro.