AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli was left delighted with victory over Juventus.
Olivier Giroud was the matchwinner on the day.
Pioli said, “Clearly, the Champions League gave us much more than we expected and then we felt sad to go out in the semi-final with Inter, but our journey there was more than anyone saw coming.
“At the same time, we did not do as well as expected in Serie A, but we are in the Champions League for the third season running, I don't know how many years it had been since that happened.
“This was the first time we truly tried to be competitive in two tournaments and we were lacking somewhere, that is true. Now we enjoy this victory and qualification, it was an odd season for many reasons, to be without our main goalkeeper for several months, while players were also at the World Cup and that split in the season was strange for everyone. It took time to get their form back."
He also said, “The lads spoke, as is only right, as they were principal actors of this season. They celebrated a deserved victory, I can only thank my players. It's true that in January and February we had a really difficult period, but they never stopped working, never stopped believing and we remained united.
“It always depends on the expectations and what we want to achieve. If we want to be competitive to try winning the Scudetto and do better in the Champions League, then clearly the squad needs to be improved. We need strong players to raise the level. I don't mind if he is young or not, I like to coach young players, but we do need more options.
“If they are young, you must be prepared to wait for them, just like we did with Leao and Tonali, who were so criticised early on. The club is virtuous and must continue in the way it believes, but if we want to be competitive to win the title and progress in the Champions League, then we need strong players."