AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli admits Inter Milan were a class apart yesterday.

Inter won the Milan derby 5-1 in a one-sided contest.

“We conceded goals during the moments when we seemed like we could get it back on track. The second goal was particularly damaging, as we misplaced passes and gave it away," Pioli told DAZN.

“We were distracted on their counter-attacks and that was the case more or less throughout. We got back into it deservedly, as we were dominating possession, only to then immediately concede a third goal and that knocked the wind out of our sails.

“It is disappointing to lose a derby, especially by such a wide scoreline, but we were in it until the third goal. At times, Inter were certainly smarter and sharper than we were in decisive moments. This is the gap we saw today with Inter. We clearly can do better and will work to understand those situations better. It is natural at the start of a season with so many changes that we can still have a few difficulties.

“I will keep the 70 minutes, but the final 15 are to be wiped out, because we simply stopped playing and that shouldn't happen."

He added: “Everyone knows Inter are very tough to break down, that they sit back and wait. We should've stretched them a bit wider. Then after the early goal, the game got on the tempo that Inter wanted and they made the absolute most of it, converting most of their attacking opportunities.

“We did create chances and situations to hurt them, but were not effective enough in front of goal."