Sergio Conukicao admitted that he is still trying to “find the right balance” after using all four AC Milan's strikers together in their 1-0 defeat at Feyenoord.
Milan will now have to destroy the shortage on San Siro's first leg if they want to reach the last 16 of the Champions League.
Igor Paixao benefited from a Mike Maignan error while the goalkeeper brought in his shot in the third minute from a tight corner. It turned out to be the competition winner for Feyenoord, who defended the opportunities after he had fired head coach Brian Priske on Monday.
All four of Santiago Gimenez, Joao Felix, Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic started on Wednesday at the front line of Milan, but they struggled to create a notebook.
In the first half, the quartet only had three shots worth 0.19 expected goals (XG), while they only had 14 touches in the opposition box.
They ended the game with 0.57 xg, only marginal less than Feyenoord's 0.58, but Timon Wellenreuther did not really test. Tijjani Reijnders came closest and shot just over the bar.
“We tried to prepare for this as we would do a Champions League final,” Conceicao told Sky Sport Italia.
“I know how hard I worked to get here. I have been a player before and then a coach for 14 years. I respect Lower League and Champions League opponents in the same way.
“Everyone is an ideal analyst afterwards. It was what I thought for the game. I realize that people are curious about those four, but there were also seven players. I am the one who has to find the right balance in the team, and there I have to work on. “
Milan remains profitless in their last 12 -matches in the knockout phases of the Champions League (four, lost eight), and could not score in eight of those competitions.
In fact, this season they have lost 44% of their away games in all matches (P16 W7 D2 L7), their worst loss percentage in a campaign on the road since 2013-14 (46%).
Milan plays at home at home in the second stage of their play-off on Tuesday, and Concukicao expects a much improved version.
“You win games with duels, aggression and Feyenoord had all those ingredients tonight,” said Conceicao.
“We should have done more, we also knew it would be a fiery atmosphere, and they always give more about home grass. It is the Champions League, this atmosphere should motivate us more, no less.
“There was a Tijji Reijnders a chance immediately, when we gave a target admittedly with incidents that can happen in football, but we had the chances of making it right and should have done more. It is not over yet, it is wide open for The second stage for the second stage, and we certainly need a different answer on Tuesday.
“We all have to give me a little more, starting the level and then games will be easier. I have a team of technical quality, and we have to bring in other characteristics that are very important, otherwise it will be difficult.
“It's hard to change it, but not impossible. We are here to make the last four months of the season different than the six that came earlier.”
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