Calling Inter's Performance Can't Be Said To Be Bad, Edin Dzeko: We Lost Honourably

Inter Milan bomber, Edin Dzeko helping the team against Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 (Instagram.com/@inter)

JAKARTA - Inter Milan must recognize the greatness of Liverpool after they lost 0-2 in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 on Thursday, 17 February early morning. Even so, Edin Dzeko said his team lost honorably.

Dzeko admits Inter Milan is good enough to show that they can compete at the Champions League level. Not without reason, the Nerazzurri dominated the game for a long time even having a golden opportunity from Hakan Calhanoglu hit the crossbar.

While Liverpool, who played defensively, could actually get a goal from every opportunity they created. Namely from dead balls that were greeted by Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah's goals that occurred in the midst of the chaos of Inter Milan's backline.

For Dzeko, Inter's appearance is not bad. Dzeko admitted that this defeat was quite honorable because his team had shown great efforts to win.

"Our only drawback is winning the game. We played very well for 65 minutes and had chances, we didn't let things go easy for one of the best teams in Europe so this defeat is honorable", Dzeko said.

Regarding the dead ball that Firmino's head continued, Dzeko regretted the goal. Because it was Liverpool's first opportunity in the match last night which actually resulted in a goal.

"Unfortunately we conceded from a corner, where we are usually strong. This is a problem against great teams, if you don't take chances they will punish you in the end", explained Dzeko.

Dzeko admitted that his team had tried their best by giving everything. However, it was not enough to be able to give victory.

"We finished this game with our heads held high, because we knew we gave everything", said Dzeko.

Regardless of Dzeko's response to the results in the first leg, Inter Milan still has a chance in the second leg which will take place at Anfield Stadium in early March. In the new regulation, away goals no longer count on an aggregate basis.

Based on that provision, Dzeko asked the team to make good use of the second leg to get full points.

"We will try until the end. This is certainly not a positive result, but we must concentrate on the next game in Serie A and then focus on the second leg."