Roma head coach Jose Mourinho feels that both Inter and AC Milan showed that they are capable of getting results at the highest level with a defensive style of play in their Champions League round of sixteen ties.
Speaking to the press after his team’s goalless Europa League draw against Real Sociedad, via FCInterNews, the Portuguese coach gave his thoughts on the Nerazzurri and the Rossoneri’s ties against Porto and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
Inter and Milan reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League in remarkably similar.
Both of the pair won the first leg of their respective ties by a single goal at the San Siro to set up the second leg.
Then, in a further parallel, both managed to secure goalless draws in the second legs.
Neither of the two derby rivals necessarily played the most spectacular football in their ties, but both got the job done against top-level European opposition.
“Both Inter and Milan both got through from their ties playing a defensive style of play, but playing very serious matches,” Mourinho said of the two teams’ performances.
“If you can get the result that you need in the first leg, no one should be criticizing you for how you play in the second,” he added.
