AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli rued coming up against an in-form Samir Handanovic, as his side fell to a heavy 3-0 defeat to Inter in the Derby della Madonnina today.

With Milan trailing to an early Lautaro Martinez strike, goalkeeper Handanovic kept them at bay with a string of wonderful saves in the second half to deny Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Sandro Tonali.

Martinez later netted a second and Romelu Lukaku rounded off the win at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, as Inter moved four points clear at the top of Serie A.

“The goal we conceded after just five minutes weighed heavily on us and we struggled to find space and speed to attack,” Pioli claimed in an interview with Italian television broadcaster DAZN after the final whistle.

“We allowed Inter to play their game and slow it down, before pouncing. In the second half we dictated the tempo but weren’t able to get the goal our play deserved.

“With the second goal we had to close down better. I have nothing to say about our second half performance, but we should have been better in the first.

“A centre-forward like Ibrahimovic is heavily influenced by the team’s display. In the first half we created little and lacked precision.

“After the break we had so many chances and I haven’t seen Handanovic make so many good saves like that in a while.

“We could have stayed in the match for longer but the team gave everything and it was a difficult week, but we will recover.”

Pioli praised Inter and admitted that they were a difficult team to find a way through, but also pointed to the progress his own side had made over the season.

“Inter took up positions that are not easy to play against with our style, we tried to address them but weren’t successful. We weren’t aggressive enough and allowed space, granting opportunities. Handanovic was alert and on form, making it difficult to get the ball.

“Our strength has always been belief in our work. If we were told a year ago that we would be second, everyone would have jumped for joy.

“We felt the pressure of the derby but we had to do more. This does not make us forget our aims though, but we weren’t able to reach our maximum.

“The defeat against Spezia was the biggest disappointment, not today. We are very sorry but we approached the match seriously. We need to raise the bar in such situations, when you lose you have to improve.”

With Milan fighting in the Europa League as well at the top of Serie A, Pioli suggested that the physical demands were taking their toll on his team.

“The data we have shows no physical inferiority to other teams. We had preliminary rounds in Europe and have suffered injuries, so those who are regulars have played too much. We must remain positive though, even with European commitments we are playing well.

“It was the first bad week of the season. Ibrahimovic was substituted as he had cramp in his leg,” the coach concluded.