#INSERT type:image caption:Filippo Inzaghi said AC Milan silenced criticism by beating Sassuolo to reach Coppa Italia quarterfinals. END#
AC Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi said his side provided the perfect answer to recent criticism by beating Sassuolo to reach the quarterfinals of the Coppa Italia on Tuesday night.
With just two wins in their last 11 Serie A games, the Rossoneri have slipped to eighth in the league.
"The team showed character and reacted after 10 difficult days," Inzaghi said at a news conference. "Against Torino it was a hard match, but in the team's growth there will also be negative days. I never got carried away before and I won't get down now.
"The criticism didn't affect me. It's disappointing to read made-up stories, but we will move on. We've had a tough week. We weren't Milan for various reasons which we've analysed. Players are now coming back and I think as of tonight we already saw some important signs.
"This side has always played with character. With 10 men against Torino we showed great character. Today was the Milan that we saw before the winter break. Let's hope it's a good sign ahead of our next match."
Milan were beaten by Sassuolo in the league at the San Siro only a week before and Eusebio Di Francesco's men had the on the Rossoneri on the ropes again on Tuesday night.
Only a late goal from Nigel de Jong saw Milan progress to meet either Torino or Lazio on Jan. 27 for a place in the semifinals. Inzaghi was nevertheless always convinced that his side would win.
"We had 16 shots on goal, 13 from inside the area; we hit the post and hit the bar. And then there was the penalty. I didn't see us in difficulty. We didn't suffer in the first half and we scored a goal," Inzaghi told RAI television.
"I'm more balanced in my opinions than those that are made in Italy. Every so often the side slips back into its fears, however."
Milan host Atalanta at the weekend before travelling to third-placed Lazio, who currently have a five-point advantage over Inzaghi's men.