Stefano Pioli called for Milan to “turn into winners” and battle through an underwhelming run of form ahead of crucial clashes with Inter and Napoli.
The Rossoneri sit level on points with Serie A leaders Napoli, who required a last-gasp winner against Lazio on Sunday, after being held in consecutive games by strugglers Salernitana and Udinese.
On Tuesday, Pioli’s side is two points ahead of Inter, who they face in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final tie.
But the Nerazzurri boast a game in hand on their fellow title contenders.
Ahead of what is likely to be a pivotal week, Pioli demanded improvements from his team, though he insisted Milan can only focus on the future from now on.
Pioli said at Monday’s pre-match news conference ahead of the cup meeting with Inter:
“It’s only the first leg, but it’s an important step. The help from our fans will be decisive.
“We are in the decisive moment of the season. We’ve done a unique path in the last two and a half years, but only what we’ll do from tomorrow will count.
“We can be better than in the last two games. We’ve done a lot, and it’s time to reap the rewards. It’s the last step, the most difficult one, which is turning into winners.”
While stressing the importance of improving sooner rather than later, Pioli acknowledged that there remains a healthy portion of the season left to play as the title race continues to ebb and flow.
Pioli added:
“The table is telling that this is a balanced league, it’s a difficult season for everybody, and there are no favourites in the derby.
“Those who win the most duels will have more chances to win. So it’s an important week, but not decisive.
“There is a second leg in Coppa Italia, and there will be ten more Serie A games after the match with Napoli.”
Pioli also did not hide away from his side’s recent struggles after recording consecutive top-flight draws for the first time since December 2020.
“Numbers do not lie. We’ve had difficulties,” Pioli continued.
“We could not kill the games off, and we should have kept more control. Anything can happen when you defend deep, and we must be more aggressive when we do not have the ball.
“We do well when we go at full pace, but we must improve handling certain situations, especially when the opponents are waiting for us.
“We have analysed what didn’t work, and we are ready to put what we’ve learned into practice.”
Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri suggested 85 points to win the Scudetto, and Pioli does not think his fellow boss was too far off the mark.
“The top five teams are in the race for the title and a Champions League spot,” he responded when asked about the title race.
“Everyone has slowed down a little, 11 games are remaining, and every game will be challenging.
“Indeed, We will need more than 80 points.”
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