Stefano Pioli praised Milan s resilience as his side came from two goals down to beat Celtic 4-2 and qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League.
Tomas Rogic and Odsonne Edouard put the Scottish team 2-0 up inside 14 minutes, but Milan stormed back through goals from Hakan Calhanoglu, Samu Castillejo, Jens Petter Hauge and Brahim Diaz.
The result, combined with Lille s dramatic 2-1 win over Sparta Prague in Group H s other game, means Milan have sealed their spot in the knockout stages.
Pioli – back in the dugout after missing three games with COVID-19 – lost experienced defender Simon Kjaer to injury in between Celtic s goals, and the Milan boss was pleased with how his young side overcame those early setbacks.
The lads wanted to put me to the test, to see if I d fully recovered! Pioli joked on Sky Sport Italia.
We had started well, but those two distractions caused problems. It can be a teachable moment to help us grow. Even when 2-0 down, we have to keep playing as a team, which is what we did today.
Back in the dug-out: three points and the ticket to the next round
Il ritorno del Mister: tre punti e Sedicesimi di in tasca
— AC Milan (@acmilan)
I am glad that even without Kjaer, and with such a young line-up, we didn t lose our heads at 2-0 down. Celtic proved they wanted to get an important result and make a good impression at San Siro.
Daniele Bonera was in charge of the first team while Pioli self-isolated after testing positive for COVID-19, with the former Fiorentina boss admitting his time from the club was difficult.
Those two weeks felt like an eternity, he added. Aside from the games, it is a genuine pleasure to spend time with these players and my staff. We want to continue like this and be ambitious.
Diaz took his tally in this season s competition to three goals, then admitted Pioli s return to the sidelines give Milan s players extra impetus for the game.
Pioli s return was very positive, he said. His staff allowed us to work well, too, but his presence gives us an extra boost. We are satisfied with the performance.
The on-loan Real Madrid forward has been limited to just six starts across all competitions this season, yet he insists he is happy at the Serie A leaders.
I am very happy to be here, as I feel really good at such a big club as Milan, he said.
I play wherever the coach wants me to. I know that I have to improve and I m very happy to be doing it at this club.
