Stefano Pioli set Milan the target of securing a top-four finish in Serie A as he declared himself satisfied with the Rossoneri s response to a dire run of form.
Milan went seven games without a win across all competitions recently, losing three successive league matches before stopping the rot against Torino last Friday.
The Rossoneri then built on that victory with a 1-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Tottenham, with Spurs failing to respond to Brahim Diaz s early header.
Having been heavily criticised for his tactical switches during Milan s poor run, Pioli has been vindicated by those victories, although he maintains they have work to do to secure a top-four finish.
Everyone experiences the results with their gut; we have to be impervious to both criticism and excessive praise, Pioli said at a press conference to preview Saturday s trip to Monza.
It s the league season that gives us the concrete possibility of playing in the Champions League again next year. I ve seen the things I wanted to see.
We re coming from two very good games, and we re trying to win tomorrow. The next game will tell how the team is doing, against a team that is doing very well and playing very well.
Start the day the right way
— AC Milan (@acmilan)
Milan are still waiting for the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was an unused substitute for last week s win against Torino after recovering from anterior cruciate ligament surgery.
The 41-year-old striker was absent from the matchday squad for Tuesday s win over Spurs but is available to face Monza, although the form of Olivier Giroud means Pioli has a decision to make.
The more [Ibrahimovic] trains, the more his condition increases. He ll be available tomorrow, too, Pioli said.
Giroud is doing very well, [Divock] Origi is doing well, too, and tomorrow I ll see what choices to make.
Saturday s game will see Milan reunited with former owner Silvio Berlusconi, who has overseen Monza s dramatic rise to the top flight since purchasing the club in 2018.
The 86-year-old recently declared Portugal international Rafael Leao should be used in a central striking role by Milan, and Pioli was in no mood to argue with him.
I always agree with Berlusconi, Pioli smiled. Always.
