AC Milan coach Marco Giampaolo defended his players after defeat to Inter Milan.

Marcelo Brozovic's deflected shot opened the scoring and Romelu Lukaku nodded in a Nicolò Barella cross for his third goal in four Serie A games.

“We were too hesitant at the start, then as the game progressed, Inter showed their greater experience," Giampaolo told DAZN.

“The goal broke the deadlock and I was not happy to see that we reacted in an emotional way, so became less organised and less united.

“Milan were in the game throughout and only had that slight gap in terms of experience, which we had been able to bridge to a certain degree.

“Players were going into areas of the pitch they were not supposed to be in, so when losing the ball, we left gaps uncovered. I hadn't minded the performance, as playing high we needed to run some risks and that is a choice we made. Sitting back and trying to play on the counter would've been a waste of energy.

“I liked the courage to keep pushing the ball forward and that lasted up until the opening goal, when we lost our shape. That showed a lack of maturity."