Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 7y

Manuel Locatelli sorry for red card vs. Juventus as AC Milan exit Coppa

AC Milan midfielder Manuel Locatelli has apologised for his sending off in the 2-1 Coppa Italia defeat at Juventus, saying he took responsibility for a "stupid" act.

Locatelli, 19, was dismissed for a second yellow card moments after Carlos Bacca had halved a 2-0 deficit.

And Locatelli told RAI television: "We got our approach to the game wrong tonight, but I did something really stupid.

"I'm here to apologise and to face up to what I have done, taking responsibility for it.

"I let the moment get the better of me. We had just scored and we wanted to get a second immediately. This will all help me to improve."

Milan must now focus on Serie A, in which they have slipped from fourth to seventh after picking up five points from their last five games.

City rivals Inter, meanwhile, have won five out of five to overtake them and move two points clear in the race for a place in Europe, although Milan have a game in hand.

"We need to think about us and not Inter or other sides," Locatelli said. "We've got to win on Sunday [at Udinese] and bounce straight back."

Juve's victory keeps them on course for a league, cup and Champions League treble.

They face Napoli over two legs for a place in the Coppa Italia final, while Porto stand between them and a place in the Champions League quarterfinals.

But coach Massimiliano Allegri was not entirely satisfied, telling RAI. "Milan are a side who never lie down, so if you make mistakes like we did then you're bound to suffer in the end, even if their goal was a bit fortunate.

"We didn't make the most of our extra man. We struggled in the end because we were unable to control possession."

Juve travel to Sassuolo on Sunday before hosting in-form Inter, and are a point clear of Roma at the top of Serie A.

^ Back to Top ^