AC Milan coach Rino Gattuso says Lazio deserve to be in the Coppa Italia final after Wednesday night's 1-0 semifinal defeat.

Joaquin Correa proved the difference for Lazio with the aggregate score locked at 0-0 going into the second-leg.

"We held out well in the first half, but after the break Lazio had three chances, we didn't move enough off the ball," Gattuso told Rai Sport.

“It's a difficult moment, we're struggling and have to turn over the page, as on Sunday there is another knockout round type game against Torino.

“We've got to try to understand why we are in this negative spell. Lazio deserved to qualify and the fans deserved more tonight."

He added: “We had tried to play a life or death game today, but it didn't work. There's no point denying it, we were embarrassed tonight and have to look forward.

“Lazio were coming off a difficult moment too, but we made it easier for them. We've got a month left in the season and it is our duty to give our all, to get back on our feet."