AC Milan Returns To Champions League After 7 Years Absent, Diaz: Disappointing Result, We Are A Great Team And Able To Compete At This Level

Brahim Diaz (Instagram @acmilan)

JAKARTA - Brahim Diaz believes AC Milan's appearance in the match against Liverpool proves his team is able to compete at the Champions League level.

The match marked the first time Milan have returned to the Champions League group stage after a seven-year absence and the Rossoneri showed a tenacious resistance despite a 3-2 loss to Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday.

"We didn't start well, but we continued to improve as the game progressed and finally we were able to show what we are capable of", Diaz said after the match.

Stepping out onto the pitch 📸#LiverpoolMilan #UCL #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/XrxyAfeXjs

— AC Milan (@acmilan) September 15, 2021

Milan conceded quickly when the game was just nine minutes after Fikayo Tomori scored an own goal while trying to block Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross.

Stefano Pioli's side was also awarded a penalty when Andy Robertson's ball hit Ismael Bennacer's arm, but goalkeeper Mike Maignan saved Mohamed Salah.

The quality of Milan's game was evident in the last five minutes of the first half, where they scored two quick goals through Ante Rebic and Diaz to turn things around.

Unfortunately, Salah then paid for his missed penalty with a goal early in the second half before Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson completed the hosts' comeback.

Despite losing, Diaz considered what he and his colleagues had shown was enough to prove that they were able to compete in Europe's highest caste.

With our heads held high #LiverpoolMilan #UCL #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/oNrL2OAPQl

— AC Milan (@acmilan) September 15, 2021

"I think we are a great team and able to compete at this level, therefore this is a disappointing result", Diaz concluded.

Milan will next play at home in their next Group B match when they host Atletico Madrid at the San Siro on September 28.