Sergio Conukicao admitted that AC Milan was missing aggression in their Champions League defeat against Dinamo Zagreb who saw them miss at a top eight finish.
Milan knew that a victory in the Maksimir stadium would have been enough to automatically qualify for the last 16. They were short and are now going in the play-offs.
Martin Baturina gave Dinamo the lead early before Yunus Musah was sent for the Rossoneri after picking up his second yellow card six minutes before the break.
After 22 years and 61 days, Musah became the youngest player who was broadcast for Milan in a Champions League match, but his teammates could return to the game.
Christian Pulisic equalized the visitors after he arrived from the right before he had sent a fierce attack in the bottom corner.
But only seven minutes after the drawing level, Conceicao's Lace was behind, when Marko Pjaca sent the ball past Mike Maignan to seal the victory.
Dinamo just saw the result missing a play-off place, while Milan ended 13th, which means that a potential draw with PSV, Juventus or Feyenoord is waiting in the next round.
Milan even suffered their first defeat against Zagreb in all competitions, after they have won each of their six previous meetings with the Croatian side.
But after the loss, Conceicao mentioned a lack of desire and aggression of his players who contributed to their downfall.
“All episodes of the match were against us,” Conceicao told a press conference. “But with that I don't want to hide the lack of aggression in the first half.
“When the foundation is missing, it is difficult. Football is made of constant defensive and attacking duels.”
“We can talk about tactics, systems, dynamics, but sometimes we have seen – and this is not new – we have to be a lot, much more aggressive in the duels and be present in the competition,” he said, adding that he saw some Bright places before their series a collision at home against Inter Milan on Sunday.
“I liked the second half, we tried to win it to 10 men. We were not obtained, now we have to concentrate on the next game and try to change the surrounding environment. We have time to do that, and and We have to do more. “
Conventicao's Focus is now shifting to the play-off round of the competition, and despite missing a top eight finish, he gives a fantasy of Milan's opportunities in the competition.
“I had a conversation with management to understand where to improve. We are looking for solutions that can help us, make ourselves a little stronger,” he said.
“We still have everything in our hands, both in the competition and in the Champions League.”
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