Hull City advanced to the Championship play-off final after defeating Millwall 2-0 on Monday night, but Tigers manager Sergej Jakirovic said one of the Lions’ selection decisions surprised him.

Jakirovic’s men and Alex Neil’s team drew 0-0 in the opening leg of the semi-finals on Friday, leaving all to play for in South London on Monday.

The tie stayed 0-0 at halftime at The Den, but second-half goals from Mohamed Belloumi and Joe Gelhardt secured Hull’s place at Wembley.

On May 23, Jakirovic’s side will meet either Southampton or Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium, with a spot in next season’s Premier League at stake.

Following Hull City’s play-off victory over Millwall, the club’s manager admits Barry Bannan

Millwall picked the same starting 11 for their second leg match against Hull at the MKM Stadium on Friday night, thus Casper de Norre and Derek Mazou-Sacko sat beside each other in a deep midfield pivot.

As a result, former Sheffield Wednesday star Barry Bannan, who joined the Lions during the winter transfer window, was placed on the bench.

The 36-year-old had an impact for his side off the bench on Friday, but was unable to prevent Neil’s team from losing 2-0 at The Den on Monday, despite being introduced at the 64th minute.

Hull manager Jakirovic told South London.co.uk that he was surprised not to see Bannan in Millwall’s starting lineup for the second leg. We planned expecting him to play, press the ball, and play us about.But I was a little startled because they began with the same 11, which is usually hard because who would heal well in three days?”

Unlike Millwall, Hull made two personnel changes to their starting lineup for the second leg, including switching to a back three, which proved to be a stroke of genius.

The 49-year-old also displayed his tactical prowess with replacements, as Belloumi and Gelhardt both scored from the bench, despite the fact that the former was brought on to replace Kyle Joseph after his injury.

Hull City must fear no one after Millwall’s victory.

Hull will be the underdogs at Wembley Stadium on May 23, regardless of whether Middlesbrough or Southampton win their respective Championship play-off semi-finals.

However, by defeating Millwall on Monday, the Tigers overcame the highest-ranked side in the play-offs, and Neil’s side ended third in the second tier, one point behind Ipswich Town, who secured automatic promotion.

Jakirovic’s team also won only one of their final seven games in the regular Championship season, raising questions about their ability to defeat the Lions.

Hull, having defeated Millwall, need not fear Southampton or Middlesbrough at Wembley, despite ending seven points behind both the Saints and the Boro.

Belloumi was fire against Neil’s side and can cause issues for any Championship side on his day, while John Egan and Charlie Hughes’ defending was fantastic, and they should be able to replicate that performance at Wembley.

Furthermore, the Tigers have Oli McBurnie, this season’s joint-second highest scorer in the second tier.