Champions League: Wenger laments ‘worst performance in Europe’

Arsenal manager left stunned by 4-0 defeat against AC Milan.

MILAN: Arsene Wenger cut a distraught figure after Arsenal were humiliated 4-0 by AC Milan in the Champions League second round first- leg at the San Siro.

The normally confident manager admitted his team was as good as out ahead of the second-leg as the Gunners recorded their heaviest defeat in Europe.

“We were never in the game, we were poor offensively and defensively,” said Wenger. “It was shocking to see how we were beaten everywhere, it was the worst performance in Europe by far. There wasn’t one moment during the 90 minutes when we were really in the game. We were well-beaten, it’s better not to talk too much and to analyse it with a cooler head and regroup.”

With their last chance of silverware the FA Cup – a tough away fifth-round tie at Sunderland – and the North London derby to come at home to in-form Tottenham at the weekend, Wenger could ill-afford such a performance again.

“The result is a disaster but the season isn’t finished,” he insisted. “We have a very big game on Saturday against Sunderland and a good opportunity to show we have the character and mental strength and can respond after such a shocking defeat.”

Refuses to blame players

However, despite the crushing defeat, Wenger did not blame his players. “They didn’t let me down, we let our ambitions. You could blame, but we have to stick together and win the next game.”

We should’ve scored more: Allegri

Wenger may have written off his side’s chances but Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri remained reserved and was even concerned that his team had not scored more.

“The lads played well as a team, we didn’t give much away and consequently did very well in attack,” said Allegri. “We deserved this win. But we had opportunities to score more and that’s disappointing”

Milan’s victory was powered by goals from Kevin-Prince Boateng and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as well as a brace from Robinho.

Zenit overcome Benfica

Elsewhere, Zenit St Petersburg  beat Portuguese giants Benfica 3-2. Zenit midfielder Roman Shirokov netted a double, while Sergei Semak got the hosts’ other goal. Benfica’s goals came from Maxi Pereira and Oscar Cardozo.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17^th, 2012.